One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta (Just 20 Minutes!) Recipe
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and delicious meal ready in just 20 minutes. Featuring tender pasta cooked directly in a creamy garlic-infused sauce, it combines minimal cleanup with maximum flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this comforting dish uses simple ingredients like milk, Parmesan cheese, and garlic to create a rich and satisfying sauce all in one pot.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups milk (whole preferred, or any type)
- 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 Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: 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 prevent burning.
- Add Pasta & Liquid: Pour in the dry pasta, followed by the milk and enough water to just barely cover the pasta. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook uncovered. Stir frequently for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has thickened into a creamy sauce.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese fully melts and the sauce thickens. If desired, fold in cream cheese or sour cream for added creaminess.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use whichever pasta shape you prefer; thin pasta like spaghetti will cook faster than thicker penne.
- Adjust water quantity as needed to ensure pasta is just covered to prevent burning or sticking.
- For a richer sauce, adding cream cheese or sour cream is optional but recommended.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
