Name: Easy Creamy Garlic Pasta: A 25-Minute Dream Meal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil; 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cups chicken broth (plus more as needed); ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ pound spaghetti; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ¾ cup heavy cream; 1 ½ tablespoons dried parsley

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Have you ever craved a rich, restaurant-quality pasta dish on a busy weeknight but dismissed it as too time-consuming? We often associate deep, comforting flavors with long hours simmering on the stove. This creamy garlic pasta recipe is here to completely change that perception. In less than 30 minutes, you can transform a handful of pantry staples into an incredibly luscious and satisfying one-pan meal. This dish proves that you don’t need a complicated ingredient list or hours of effort to create something truly special. It’s the perfect solution for those evenings when you need a comforting hug in a bowl, fast.

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Step 2: Build the Broth Base
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Q2. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Q3. Can I add protein to this dish?
Q4. My sauce seems a little thin. How can I thicken it?

Easy Creamy Garlic Pasta: A 25-Minute Dream Meal

Description
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Olive Oil	2 teaspoons
Fresh Garlic Cloves, minced	4
Unsalted Butter	2 tablespoons
Chicken Broth	3 cups (or more, as needed)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper	½ teaspoon
Salt	¼ teaspoon
Spaghetti	½ pound
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese	1 cup
Heavy Cream	¾ cup
Dried Parsley	1 ½ tablespoons

Timing

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes (That’s quicker than ordering and waiting for takeout!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Gather all your ingredients to have them ready. Heat the olive oil in a medium, wide-bottomed pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir continuously until it becomes fragrant, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful not to let it brown, as burnt garlic will impart a bitter taste. Add the butter and stir until it has completely melted, creating a rich, aromatic base for your sauce.

Step 2: Build the Broth Base

Once the butter has melted, pour in 3 cups of chicken broth. Season the liquid with the ground black pepper and salt. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. This flavorful broth will serve as the cooking liquid for the pasta, infusing every strand with savory goodness.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Add the spaghetti directly into the boiling broth. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 12 minutes, or until it reaches an al dente texture—tender yet still firm to the bite. The pasta will absorb the broth as it cooks. Tip: If the pasta starts to stick to the bottom of the pan or the liquid evaporates too quickly, simply add a splash more chicken broth to keep things moving smoothly.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and dried parsley to the pan. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly until the cheese is melted and a silky, creamy sauce forms that beautifully coats the spaghetti. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Nutritional Information

Here is the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (recipe makes 4 servings):

Calories: 598 kcal
Protein: 21 g
Fat: 34 g
Carbohydrates: 52 g

Healthier Alternatives

While this dish is a decadent treat, you can easily make a few swaps to lighten it up without sacrificing flavor.

Swap the Pasta: Use whole wheat spaghetti for an increase in fiber and nutrients.
Lower the Fat: Replace the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. To achieve a similar thickness, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry and add it to the sauce at the end, simmering until it thickens.
Add Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value by adding a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking, or sauté mushrooms with the garlic at the beginning.
Go Vegan: For a plant-based version, use vegetable broth, a high-quality dairy-free butter, and full-fat coconut milk or a cashew cream instead of heavy cream. Swap the Parmesan for a vegan alternative or nutritional yeast for a cheesy, savory flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy garlic pasta is a showstopper on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions.

Garnish: Sprinkle with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of fresh parsley or red pepper flakes for a pop of color and a little heat.
Side Dishes: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the sauce. A side of crusty garlic bread is also perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
Protein Boost: Top the pasta with grilled chicken strips, sautéed shrimp, or pan-seared scallops to turn it into an even more substantial meal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Burning the Garlic: Sautéing garlic for too long or over too high a heat will make it bitter and ruin the flavor base of your sauce. Solution: Cook the garlic over medium heat just until it becomes fragrant (1-2 minutes) before adding the butter and broth.
Pasta Sticking Together: Because this is a one-pan recipe, the starches released from the pasta can make it prone to sticking. Solution: Stir the pasta occasionally as it cooks and make sure there is enough broth in the pan. If it looks dry, add more broth a little at a time.
A Broken or Oily Sauce: Adding the cream and cheese when the pan is too hot can cause the sauce to separate or become oily. Solution: Be sure to reduce the heat to low before stirring in the cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until just combined.

Storing Tips

This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still delicious.

Refrigeration: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place the pasta in a pan over low heat and add a splash of milk or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. Stir gently until warmed through. Microwaving is also an option, but the stovetop method yields better results.

Conclusion

This creamy garlic pasta recipe is a testament to the fact that amazing comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just one pan and about 25 minutes, you can create a meal that is both elegantly simple and deeply satisfying. The combination of savory garlic, rich butter, and velvety cream creates a timeless dish that your family will ask for again and again. It’s a perfect weeknight hero. We hope you love making and eating this delightful pasta. Try it out and let us know in the comments how it turned out for you! We’d love to hear your feedback.

FAQs

Q1. Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely. To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the spaghetti with your favorite gluten-free pasta variety. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so follow the package directions for the best results.

Q2. Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, while spaghetti works wonderfully, feel free to use other pasta shapes like fettuccine, linguine, or even penne. Fettuccine is an excellent choice as its wide surface holds the creamy sauce beautifully.

Q3. Can I add protein to this dish?

This pasta is a perfect base for adding protein. Cooked, shredded chicken, grilled shrimp, or even crispy bacon bits would all be fantastic additions. Stir your chosen protein in at the very end with the cream and cheese.

Q4. My sauce seems a little thin. How can I thicken it?

If your sauce is thinner than you’d like, let it simmer on low for a few extra minutes. The starch from the pasta will continue to thicken the sauce as it rests. You can also add a little more Parmesan cheese, which will help thicken it as it melts.