You’ve got to try this One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta at least once because it’s seriously so good, you’ll love it. Just imagine, everything cooks in one single pot, so you don’t even need to deal with a bunch of dishes later.
The garlic flavor is strong in the best way possible. The whole kitchen smells amazing while it’s cooking.
The best part is the creamy texture consisting of butter, cheese, and cream come together. Due to this combination, it taste so good.
So yeah, if you ever want to whip up something quick and super tasty, this recipe is just perfect. In 15-20 minutes, everything’s done and ready to eat!
One-Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta
Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a simple yet luxurious dish made with angel hair pasta, garlic, butter, Parmesan cheese, and cream. They all are cooked together in one pot for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup. The result is a velvety, garlicky, and cheesy pasta that tastes straight out of an Italian restaurant. It is perfect for weekdays lunch or weekend meals!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by grabbing a deep pan or pot. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and turn the heat to medium.
- Now toss in 4 cloves of minced garlic and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, just until it turns fragrant. And honestly, at this stage, your whole kitchen will smell like garlic heaven.
- Next, add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir it in so it melts nicely. Then, sprinkle a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper as it’s just enough to boost the flavor.
- Then pour in 3 cups of chicken stock. You can also use vegetable or beef stock if you prefer.
- Turn the heat to high and let it come to a boil.
- Once the stock is boiling, add 250g of angel hair pasta. Gently press it down so the pasta sinks into the liquid.
- Let it cook for 4-5 minutes until the pasta is soft and tender. Make sure there’s still a bit of liquid left. That’s going to be the base of your sauce.
- Now lower the heat to medium. Add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and pour in ¾ cup of cream (heavy or regular, both work fine).
- Add 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley for a touch of freshness.
- Stir gently until the cheese melts completely and the sauce turns smooth and creamy.
- Turn off the heat and serve it up. You’ll see that it’s creamy, cheesy, and full of garlicky goodness.
- And if you want to make it look extra nice, sprinkle a little more parsley on top. It adds a pop of color and makes the dish look beautiful too.
Oil and Garlic Magic:
Add Butter and Stock:
Cook the Pasta:
Make It Creamy:
Ready to Serve:
Pro Tips & Variations
Pro Tips:
- So, if you’re a garlic lover, go ahead and use 4 cloves. But if you prefer a milder flavor, stick to 2 or 3 cloves. Otherwise, the garlic might feel a bit too strong.
- Angel hair pasta is super thin, so even 1-2 extra minutes can make it sticky. Just set a timer to be safe because overcooked pasta can mess up the texture.
- While adding cream and cheese, don’t dump them in all at once. Add a little at a time and keep stirring. That way, the sauce stays smooth and doesn’t turn grainy or stick to the bottom.
- Every brand of stock has a different salt level. If it’s too salty, it’s hard to fix later. So give it a quick taste before adding it in.
- Pasta keeps soaking up sauce even after cooking. So if it feels too thick while serving, just add a splash of stock or cream to loosen it up.
Variations:
- Chicken version: If you want to add some protein, just mix in cooked shredded chicken at the end. It turns into a awesome meal.
- Bacon or Cottage Cheese twist: For a non-veg option, crispy bacon adds a delicious crunch. And if you prefer veg, grilled cottage cheese pieces work great too. Both give a fun new flavor.
- Veg-loaded version: You can toss in veggies like broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms. It makes the pasta a bit healthier and adds a nice texture too.
- Spicy version: You can add extra red chili flakes or crushed black pepper. It turns into a spicy, creamy pasta that’s super satisfying.
- Cheese mix-up: Besides Parmesan, try mixing in mozzarella or cheddar. It makes the sauce extra creamy and gives it that stretchy, cheesy goodness.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storage Instructions:
- Always store the pasta in an airtight container. It keeps the moisture out and helps the flavor stay fresh.
- This creamy pasta stays good in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days. After that, the cream might start to separate, so don’t keep it too long.
- Store the pasta and sauce together. If you keep them apart, the pasta can turn dry.
- If you know you’ll be reheating it later, leave a bit of extra sauce aside as it really helps when warming it up again.
- Cream-based pasta doesn’t freeze well. The texture can break and the sauce might curdle, so it’s better to stick with the fridge.
Reheating Instructions:
- Don’t reheat on high flame as cheese and cream can split. So, go slow and use low heat for best results.
- While reheating, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream. It brings the sauce back to a smooth and creamy texture.
- If you’re in a hurry, microwave it in 1-minute intervals and stir in between so it heats evenly.
- You can also warm it in a non-stick pan with a little butter. It tastes just as fresh as when you first made it.
- If the pasta looks tight or dry, add a bit of chicken or vegetable stock. It brings back the moisture and makes it soft again.
Serving Suggestions:
- With Garlic Bread: You’ve got to try this pasta with some hot, crispy garlic bread on the side. The buttery and garlicky flavors from both just come together and take it to the next level.
- Add a Green Salad: If you want to keep things a little lighter, add a fresh green salad on the side. It gives a nice crunch and balances out the creamy pasta really well.
- Main Course or Side Dish: This pasta works both ways. You can enjoy it as a full dinner on its own, or serve it as a side with something like grilled chicken. It fits in anywhere.
- For Kids Lunch Box: Once it cools down a bit, you can pack it in a lunch box. Kids usually love the creamy texture, especially when the cheese is all melty and delicious.
- For Parties or Get-Togethers: And if you’re hosting a small gathering at home, this pasta is a quick yet fancy option. It looks classy and everyone ends up loving it.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
Serving Size 1 bowl ≈ 250g
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 520kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 28g44%
- Saturated Fat 15g75%
- Cholesterol 65mg22%
- Sodium 560mg24%
- Total Carbohydrate 48g16%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 17g34%
- Vitamin A 520 IU
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Calcium 220 mg
- Iron 1.3 mg
- Vitamin D 35 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
FAQ
Q1. What if I don’t have angel hair pasta?
No problem at all! You can use spaghetti, thin linguine, or even vermicelli. Just keep in mind that you might need to adjust the cooking time a little depending on the type.
Q2. Can I use something else instead of cream?
Yes, definitely! If you don’t have cream, you can mix full-fat milk or a bit of cream cheese. The texture will be a little lighter, but the taste will still be nice and creamy.
Q3. Can I add veggies to this pasta?
Absolutely! You can toss in broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or even capsicum. Just sauté them a bit before adding so they don’t turn soggy.
Q4. What if the pasta turns dry?
Just add a splash of warm milk, cream, or stock and stir gently. The sauce will turn creamy and smooth again.
Q5. Is this pasta good for meal prep?
Yes, it works! Though honestly, it tastes best when freshly made. Still, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days and enjoy it for lunch or dinner the next day.
