Last night, I made this incredible Garlic Parmesan pasta, and I have to say, it’s a game-changer! This dish is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness.
What I love most about this recipe is how simple yet flavorful it is. The combination of chicken broth and milk creates a rich, velvety sauce that clings to every strand of spaghetti.
It’s ready in just about 20 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Quick and Easy: It can be prepared in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute dinners.
Minimal Ingredients: With only a handful of common pantry staples, this recipe is both simple and cost-effective.
Rich Flavor: The combination of garlic, butter, and Parmesan creates a rich and savory sauce perfect for satisfying cravings.
Comfort Food Bliss: The creamy, indulgent sauce paired with tender spaghetti noodles delivers the ultimate cozy, comforting meal perfection.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: This classic pasta shape is perfect for twirling and slurping up every last bit of the creamy sauce.
- Unsalted Butter: The foundation of flavor. Butter adds richness and helps to create a silky smooth sauce.
- Garlic: It infuses the sauce with its sweet, pungent flavor that pairs perfectly with Parmesan.
- Chicken Broth: It adds depth and complexity to the sauce while helping to cook the spaghetti to al dente perfection.
- Milk: Whole milk creates a luscious, velvety texture that clings beautifully to each strand of spaghetti.
- Salt and Pepper: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, while a crack of black pepper adds a subtle kick of heat.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts seamlessly into the sauce, adding a sharp, umami-rich flavor that elevates the dish.
- Fresh Parsley: It adds a pop of color and a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Pasta
This pasta is so easy, but the result will make you feel like a total pro!
1. Cook the garlic in butter. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Add the liquids and season. Pour in the chicken broth and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Add the broken spaghetti. Break the spaghetti in half and add it to the boiling liquid. Stir to submerge the noodles.
4. Simmer until thickened. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 10-12 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more of chicken broth or milk.
5. Stir in the Parmesan. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Season to taste. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
7. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
Tips for the Best Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Here are my best tips to make this pasta as good as can be.
- Pick your own pasta. While spaghetti works great, you can use other long pasta shapes like linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair. Tubular shapes like penne or rigatoni also work well to capture the creamy sauce.
- Give it a protein boost. Add cooked shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy bacon to make this a heartier main dish.
- Toss in some add-ins. To add more flavor and nutrients to the pasta, incorporate sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, or frozen peas.
- Choose your consistency. If the sauce gets too thick, thin it out with a splash of reserved pasta water, chicken broth, or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Fresh is best. For the smoothest, creamiest results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese off the block instead of pre-shredded. It melts better into the sauce.
- Try some perfect pairings. Serve the creamy garlic parmesan pasta with a simple green salad, roasted or steamed vegetables, and crusty bread or garlic knots.
How to Store
This pasta stores and reheats beautifully with these tips.
To Store: Place the leftover pasta in an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Ensure the pasta is completely cooled before sealing the container to maintain freshness. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the consistency will change.
To Reheat: Reheat the pasta in a skillet over low-medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to thin the sauce and prevent it from drying out. You can also microwave it in 30-second increments, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through.
More Hearty Pasta Dishes You’ll Love
Rasta Pasta with Jerk Chicken
Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Garlic Parmesan Pasta
4
servings5
minutes15
minutes354
kcalThis quick and easy garlic Parmesan pasta combines tender spaghetti with a rich, cheesy sauce for a comforting meal ready in minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Break the spaghetti in half and add it to the boiling liquid. Stir to submerge the noodles.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 10-12 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more of chicken broth or milk.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve the creamy garlic parmesan spaghetti immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
