Garlic Parmesan Pasta (One Pot!)

This creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta is quick and easy! It takes just 20 minutes and one pot. Your family will love the smooth, buttery garlic noodles! Serve it as a main dish or a tasty side.

Serve this Chicken Piccata and a side of my Cheesy Homemade Garlic Bread!

Finding a recipe that’s this quick is amazing. When I say it takes 20 minutes, I actually mean that it takes 20 minutes.

Angel hair takes no time at all to make, and neither does this creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce.

Best of all- this is a GREAT recipe for kids. They absolute love the simple, buttery pasta. (And it’s easy to sneak broccoli in there.)

Ingredients

• Chicken Broth
• Butter
• Garlic– Freshly minced at home. (Not the jarred stuff!)
• Parmsean Cheese- Grated from a block at home.
• Angel Hair Pasta
• Half and Half- Can sub whole milk, don’t let it get too hot to prevent curdling.
• Parsley

Add Lemon (Optional): 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, mixed in at the end once the pasta is finished and removed from the heat.

Optional Herbs include a 2 Tablespoon mixture of Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano.

How to Make it

Melt the butter. Add the garlic, cook for one minute.

Add the chicken broth, then the half and half. Add the pasta.

The pasta will begin to soften, allowing it to bend and immerse into the sauce.

Let it cook for 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese into the sauce and stir. It will thicken upon standing.

The Trick to Extra Creamy Sauce

• Refrain from adding cold ingredients into warm pasta when you prepare it. This includes the cheese, half and half, and/or milk. The consistency will be super creamy if you follow this instruction.
• Purchase a block of high-quality Parmesan cheese. Always shred the cheese yourself, it will taste and melt much better.
• Let the cheese come to room temperature before adding it to the warm (not hot!) base.
• Add the cheese gradually as opposed to all at once.

Substituting Different Kinds of Pasta

Using different kinds of pasta can be done, but nothing tastes better than making this with angel hair (and it cooks much faster that way.)

But, if you prefer to use regular spaghetti or other thicker pastas, use 2 cups of chicken broth instead of 1.5, and increase the simmering time based on the instructions on the package.

What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Pasta

• Chicken Piccata
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Minced clams  1 or 2 (6.5 oz.) cans. Add them when you add the chicken broth.
• Chicken Milanese
• Grilled Chicken or Steak
• Cheesy Homemade Garlic Bread
• Roasted Broccoli
• Salad with homemade Caesar or Italian dressing

Storing Leftovers

• Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• You can also freeze it and store it for up to 3 months.

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Garlic Parmesan Pasta (One Pot!)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

5 from 4 votes

Servings: 4

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This creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta is quick and easy! It takes just 20 minutes and one pot. Your family will love the smooth, buttery garlic noodles!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup half and half*, at room temperature
• 8 oz. angel hair pasta,, (equal to 1/2 lb.)
• Fresh Parsley, to garnish
• 2 Tablespoons Seasonings (optional)- Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano

Instructions

• Shred the Parmesan cheese and set it aside to allow it to get to room temperature.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large cast iron skillet.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 min 30 seconds, stirring as it cooks.
• Add the chicken broth.
• Add in the room temperature milk/cream. If it's still chilled, temper it in the microwave for 20 seconds.
• Add the pasta. If the noodles are too long for the pan it will begin to bend as it heats and will then fit into the pan. Kitchen tongs help with this.
• Let the pasta simmer for 4-5 minutes. Stir it every 30 seconds or so. Remove from the heat.
• Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring as you do so, until smooth and well-combined. Note: The sauce will be thin at first but will thicken nicely upon standing. The pasta will continue to absorb more of the sauce as well.
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve!

Notes

*Milk or a combination of milk and cream can be used as well, however you run the risk of having the sauce curdle due to the lower fat content. Don't get the mixture get too hot

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Optional Additions

• Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Minced clams  1 or 2 (6.5 oz.) cans. Add them when you add the chicken broth.
• Chicken Milanese
• Grilled Chicken or Steak
• Roasted Broccoli
• Spinach
• Steamed Asparagus

Optional Seasonings include a 2 Tablespoon mixture of Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano, and can be added when you add the chicken broth.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 627mg, Potassium: 336mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 574IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 244mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Author: Stephanie