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Garlic Parmesan Pasta (One Pot!) Recipe

4.7 from 59 reviews

This Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pot meal made with angel hair pasta simmered in a garlicky Parmesan cheese sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, it combines butter, fresh garlic, chicken broth, milk, and Parmesan for a rich and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners or a cozy meal. Garnished with fresh parsley, it pairs wonderfully with various proteins and sides like garlic bread, shrimp, or chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 3 Tablespoons butter, divided
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 oz. angel hair pasta
  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

Optional Seasonings

  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep Parmesan Cheese: Grate the Parmesan cheese and set aside at room temperature to ensure it blends smoothly into the sauce.
  2. Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and optional seasonings (onion powder, oregano, thyme, parsley, and pepper). Slowly add the milk while stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Add Pasta: Add the angel hair pasta to the skillet. You may break the noodles in half for easier fitting, or allow the strands to soften and twist them into the pan using tongs.
  5. Simmer Pasta: Let the pasta simmer gently for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the pasta is tender, reduce heat to low.
  6. Add Remaining Butter: Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter to coat the pasta evenly and add richness.
  7. Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Note that initially, the sauce will be thin but will thicken as it stands and the pasta absorbs the sauce.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the pasta before serving. Enjoy with garlic bread or your favorite protein accompaniments.

Notes

  • Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly; monitor closely to avoid overcooking, which can cause the noodles to become clumpy.
  • Allow the sauce to rest for a few minutes after cooking—the sauce thickens as it cools.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with Lemon Pepper Chicken, Creamy Garlic Shrimp, Chicken Piccata, Creamy Lemon Chicken, Chicken Florentine, Garlic Bread with Cheese, or Roasted Broccoli.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth sauce texture.

Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Pasta, One Pot Pasta, Quick Pasta Recipe, Creamy Garlic Pasta, Angel Hair Pasta, Easy Weeknight Dinner, Garlic Parmesan Sauce