One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta (Just 20 Minutes!)
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is the ultimate 20-minute comfort food dinner. Made in a single pan with garlic, milk, and Parmesan cheese, it’s rich, creamy, and incredibly easy.
Whether you’re cooking for your family or need a quick solo dinner, this pasta hits the spot with minimal effort and cleanup. Add your favorite protein or veggies to make it a complete meal!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- One pot means easy cleanup.
- Total cooking time: 20 minutes
- A lot of garlic flavor with little work
- Perfectly creamy, cheesy, and cozy
- You can add as many proteins or veggies as you want.
This pasta with garlic and cream is perfect. It’s cheap, filling, and easy to make, even if you don’t have a lot of time or confidence in your cooking skills.
Also, it’s the perfect recipe for the pantry that you can make at the last minute.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta spaghetti, linguine, or penne
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups milk whole preferred, or use any you have
- 1 cup water or as needed to just cover the pasta
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- Optional: garnish Chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter (or heat the olive oil) over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Pour in the dry pasta, milk, and enough water to just barely cover the pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 8–10 minutes or until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has reduced to a creamy sauce.
- Add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Add cream cheese or sour cream to the sauce to make it even creamier.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot.
Tips and Tricks
- For faster cooking, use thin pasta like angel hair or linguine.
- To get the simmer going, use hot water or milk that has already been heated.
- Before you start cooking, measure out all of your ingredients.
- You can save time by using pre-minced garlic or garlic paste.
- Stir the pasta often to keep it from sticking.
Customizing Your Pasta
Choices for Protein:
- Chicken on the grill or in the rotisserie
- Shrimp or salmon that has been cooked
- Bacon or pancetta that is crispy
- Sausage or tofu made from plants
Add-Ins for Veggies:
- Kale or baby spinach
- Mushrooms
- Peas that have been frozen
- Tomatoes that have been dried in the sun
Cheese Switches:
- Pecorino Romano
- Cheese spread
- Gouda or Fontina for melting
For People Who Love Spice:
- Flakes of red pepper
- Seasoning with Cajun or blackened spices
Serving Suggestions
- A simple green salad with lemon or balsamic vinaigrette
- Sourdough with a crust or garlic bread
- Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans that have been roasted or steamed
- A glass of sparkling water or white wine with lemon
Storage and FAQs
- Less mess: only one pot or pan is needed.
- You can keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Add a little milk or water to the sauce and heat it up again.
- Not good for the freezer (dairy sauces tend to separate).
Is it okay to freeze this pasta?
It is not a good idea to freeze dairy-based sauces because they often separate and get grainy when you heat them up again.
Is it okay to use a different kind of pasta?
Yes! Rotini, linguine, or fettuccine are all good choices. Change the cooking time based on the shape of the pasta.
How do I make this spicier?
Add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic or stir them in at the end.