Garlic Parmesan Pasta
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I’ve been making this Garlic Parmesan Pasta for quick weeknight dinners for years — it’s silky, garlicky, and somehow feels fancy while taking less than 20 minutes. The sauce is built in one skillet, the angel hair cooks right in the liquid, and a generous handful of grated Parmesan turns everything into a smooth, clingy coating. If you prefer a protein-packed version, try my take on chicken garlic parmesan pasta for an easy complete meal.
Why you’ll love this dish
This recipe hits the sweet spot between comfort food and speed. It’s:
- Fast: one skillet and about 15–20 minutes from start to finish.
- Affordable: pantry staples — butter, garlic, broth, milk, pasta, and Parmesan.
- Crowd-pleasing: mild, cheesy, and kid-friendly, but easily bumped up with extra garlic or black pepper for adults.
- Versatile: serve it plain, add roasted vegetables, or toss in leftover chicken or shrimp.
“Ridiculously creamy with a bright garlic flavor — perfect for busy evenings but tastes like you fussed all night.”
The cooking process explained
Overview: Melt butter, sauté garlic, add broth and milk, season and bring to a lively simmer. Add the angel hair so it cooks right in the sauce for 4–5 minutes, then finish off low and whisk in Parmesan so the sauce thickens and clings to the strands. Expect a silky sauce that starts loose while the pasta cooks and tightens as cheese melts and pasta absorbs liquid.
What you’ll do at a glance:
- Melt butter and soften garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and milk; season and boil.
- Add angel hair and simmer until al dente.
- Lower heat and stir in grated Parmesan until smooth.
- Serve immediately with extra cheese and pepper.
What you’ll need
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (freshly grated yields best melt and flavor)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 teaspoons garlic, minced (about 4 medium cloves)
- 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium if you prefer)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk is best for richness; 2% works)
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Notes and substitutions:
- Parmesan: use real Parmigiano-Reggiano or domestic Parmesan, not pre-shredded (that contains anti-caking agents and won’t melt as smoothly).
- Milk: for a lighter sauce use half-and-half or whole milk; for dairy-free, try canned full-fat coconut milk plus a vegan Parmesan alternative (texture will differ).
- Pasta: angel hair is quickest; for a heartier chew, use spaghetti or linguine but increase simmer time slightly. For a chicken-and-pasta combo, this pairs well with recipes like cheddar-parmesan garlic butter chicken with creamy penne.
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to pick up any garlic bits from the pan.
- Add the milk and stir until combined.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally so the strands separate and cook evenly.
- Turn heat to low. Gradually add the grated Parmesan, stirring continuously so the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
- Cook another 1–2 minutes as the sauce thickens and the pasta finishes absorbing liquid.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topping with extra Parmesan and a crack of black pepper.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Simple plated idea: twirl a nest of pasta into a shallow bowl, spoon extra sauce over top, and sprinkle chopped parsley for color.
- Protein add-ins: shredded rotisserie chicken, sautéed shrimp, or pan-seared salmon.
- Veggie pairings: roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach, or blistered cherry tomatoes tossed in at the end.
- Bread and wine: serve with crusty garlic bread and a crisp Pinot Grigio or light Chardonnay.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate: cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat gently: add a splash of milk or broth and warm over low heat while stirring so the sauce loosens and creams back up.
- Freezing: cream-based pasta loses some texture when frozen; if you must freeze, leave pasta slightly undercooked, freeze in a shallow container for up to 1 month, then thaw overnight and reheat with added liquid.
- Food safety: don’t leave cooked pasta at room temperature more than 2 hours. Reheat to steaming hot before serving.
Pro chef tips
- Grate your own cheese: fresh-grated Parmesan melts creamier and delivers better flavor than pre-shredded.
- Control salt: because Parmesan and chicken broth add salt, taste the sauce after the Parmesan goes in before adding more.
- Prevent grainy sauce: keep heat low when adding cheese; high heat can make the cheese seize and become grainy.
- For a silkier finish: whisk in a small pat of butter off heat right before serving.
- Swap pasta shapes confidently by checking for doneness a minute earlier than package directions when cooking in sauce. For more creative pasta-protein combos, see this bowtie chicken version I like: creamy garlic parmesan chicken bowtie pasta.
Creative twists
- Lemon-Parmesan: add 1 teaspoon lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness.
- Spicy garlic: stir in 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Mushroom and thyme: sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic and finish with fresh thyme.
- One-pan protein: brown bite-sized chicken or sausage first, remove, then cook the pasta in the same pan and return the protein at the end.
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free angel hair or thin rice pasta; adjust cook time per package.
Helpful answers
Q: How long does this take from start to finish?
A: About 15–20 minutes total — 5 minutes prep and 10–15 minutes cooking.
Q: Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
A: It’s best fresh. If you need to prep, cook pasta slightly under al dente and keep sauce components chilled separately; combine and reheat gently when ready to serve.
Q: My sauce looked oily or separated — what happened?
A: Usually overheated cheese or too much fat release causes separation. Reduce heat, add a splash of milk, and whisk gently. Avoid pre-shredded cheese.
Q: Can I use Parmesan substitutes?
A: Pecorino Romano can be used for a saltier, sharper result. For vegetarians, check that the cheese uses microbial rennet.
Conclusion
If you want more one-pan takes on this comforting dish, the Cozy Cook has a solid Garlic Parmesan Pasta (One Pot!) that inspired similar techniques. For another easy creamy option with a simple ingredient list, Together as Family offers a straightforward Easy Garlic Parmesan Pasta that’s worth a look. And if you enjoy the one-skillet method, Yellow Bliss Road’s Garlic Parmesan Pasta (One Pot Pasta) shows additional variations and plating ideas.
Enjoy the pasta — quick, cheesy comfort that comes together while the oven’s off and the family’s still hungry.
Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to pick up any garlic bits from the pan.
- Add the milk and stir until combined.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn heat to low. Gradually add the grated Parmesan, stirring continuously until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
- Cook another 1–2 minutes as the sauce thickens and the pasta finishes absorbing liquid.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topping with extra Parmesan and a crack of black pepper.
