Best Easy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Creamy garlic Parmesan pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce is a quick vegetarian dinner the whole family devours. Simple, indulgent, and ready in 20 minutes for those busy weeknights.

Cook 20 min Difficulty EASY 455 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #high protein
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • spaghetti 12 oz
  • unsalted butter 4 tbsp
  • heavy cream 1 cup
  • Parmesan cheese 1 cup
  • garlic 4 cloves
Seasonings/Sauce
  • salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • chopped parsley 2 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 53 g 47%
Protein 15 g 13%
Fat 20 g 40%
Serving size 220g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, 8–10 minutes.

  2. 2

    While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

  3. 3

    Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream. Stir and let the mixture heat gently for 2–3 minutes, without letting it boil.

  4. 4

    Add grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet in batches, stirring continuously. Keep the heat low to ensure the cheese melts smoothly and the sauce becomes creamy.

  5. 5

    Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss the pasta into the skillet with the sauce and use reserved water to adjust creaminess; season with salt, black pepper, and finish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
Parmesan cheese is the star component of this dish, creating the creamy, rich sauce that defines the flavor and texture. Alongside garlic and heavy cream, it delivers the classic cheesy, savory taste everyone expects from a creamy garlic Parmesan pasta.
Q. How do I prevent the cheese from clumping in the sauce?
To avoid clumping, add grated Parmesan in batches to the cream mixture over low heat, stirring continuously. Maintaining gentle heat ensures the cheese melts evenly, resulting in a smooth, creamy sauce instead of stringy or grainy texture.
Q. What cooking tips help achieve the perfect sauce consistency?
Reserve some pasta water before draining and add it gradually when tossing pasta with the sauce. The starch in pasta water helps the sauce bind to the noodles and adjust creaminess. Also, keep the heat low when melting cheese to avoid separating or thickening too quickly.
Q. How many calories and macronutrients are in one serving?
One serving (220g) contains about 455 kcal, with 53g carbohydrates (47% of calories), 15g protein (13%), and 20g fat (40%), making this a satisfying main dish suitable for vegetarian and high-protein needs.
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