This super simple 20-minute garlic Parmesan pasta will quickly become your family's favorite easy weeknight dinner. It's loaded with flavor but is made with simple ingredients and everything cooks in one pot!
You Will Love This
- The best part about this creamy Parmesan pasta is that it all cooks in one pot!! But using just one pot doesn't mean we're skimping on flavor! The classic flavors of fresh garlic and nutty Parmesan come together with half and half the starch from the pasta to create the most creamy dreamy alfredo sauce that perfectly coats every al dente noodle!
- If you grew up eating Pasta Roni angel hair pasta, you're going to love this one pot pasta! Pasta Roni has it's place, but homemade Parmesan pasta will ALWAYS be better! And you can have it on the table in about 20 minutes, which means it's a quick and easy family dinner that's super simple to throw together on a busy weeknight!
- If you loved this easy pasta recipe, be sure to check out my Three Cheese Baked Rigatoni, my Simple Garlic Tomato Pasta, or my Creamy Cottage Cheese Lasagna.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Olive Oil - Try to find an olive oil that is cold-pressed and organic for the best flavor.
- Garlic Cloves - Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor in this creamy Parmesan pasta sauce but you could also use garlic powder in its place. I'd recommend starting with ½ a teaspoon or so of garlic powder and adding more taste.
- Dried Oregano - You can use Italian seasoning in place of the dried oregano in this recipe if desired.
- Half and Half - If you don't have half and half on hand, you could do 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup milk in its place. You could also try using whole milk, but the sauce will likely end up a bit thinner.
- Vegetable Broth - You can also use chicken broth in place of the veggie broth if you aren't worried about keeping this dish vegetarian.
- Spaghetti - You can really use any kind of pasta for this garlic Parmesan pasta, but take into account the cooking time. Some cuts of pasta will take more or less time to cook which could affect the consistency of the sauce. If you're using a pasta that takes longer to cook, you may need to add a bit more cooking liquid towards the end of the process.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese - I like to get a wedge and grate my own in the food processor. Freshly grated Parmesan will melt more easily than the pre-shredded kind as the bagged cheese is coated with cellulose to keep it from clumping.
Instructions
Sauté garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in olive oil.
Add veggie broth, half and half, uncooked spaghetti along with another pinch of salt and pepper.
Simmer gently until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened. Add Parmesan cheese.
Toss until cheese is melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Garnish with Parmesan, parsley, and red pepper flakes, and enjoy!
Tips
- Shred your own Parmesan! If you have time, always buy the wedge and shred it yourself! It will taste much better than the pre-shredded stuff and it will melt into the creamy garlic pasta sauce better. Wedges are usually cheaper than pre-shredded cheese as well!
- One-pot pasta is all about the cooking liquid. It's important to use your judgment as far as adding more liquid towards the end of the cooking process. If it seems to be reducing too quickly and the pasta is not fully cooked yet, add another splash of half and half or veg stock so that the pasta can cook through. You're looking for the sauce to be smooth, creamy, and cheesy!
- The Parmesan sauce in this one-pot pasta will thicken as it cools so if you're planning to reheat leftovers, be prepared to add a couple splashes of milk or broth as you're warming it up again. With that said, this pasta reheats well, just make sure to add some liquid and heat over medium heat in a saucepan or pot until it's heated through.
FAQ
This Parmesan garlic pasta is the perfect 20 minute dinner to throw together when you don't have any pasta sauce on hand! It's a delicious quick and easy alfredo inspired garlic cream sauce that can be made all in one pot! It requires just a handful of pantry ingredients and is loaded with flavor!
Yes! Shredding a wedge of Parmesan is the best way to ensure that your Parmesan will melt completely into your creamy sauce. Pre-shredded Parmesan is coated in cellulose which prevents it from clumping together but can also prevent it from melting easily into your sauce.
The best way to add Parmesan to a cream sauce is right at the end so it can melt in and make the sauce smooth and creamy. This 20 minute creamy garlic pasta comes together all in one pot which means you don't have to make a finicky roux or dirty extra dishes! Just cook the pasta right in the sauce, then add the freshly grated Parmesan and toss until it's melted and the sauce is coated creamy Parmesan garlic sauce.
Family Favorite Pastas
- Creamy Vegan Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
- 15 Minute Greek Pasta
- Lazy Ravioli Lasagna
- Tomato Pasta with Garlic White Wine Cream Sauce
- Easy Homemade Spaghettios
One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
This super simple 20-minute one-pot garlic Parmesan pasta recipe will quickly become your family's favorite easy weeknight dinner. It's loaded with flavor but is made with simple ingredients and everything cooks in one pot!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6-8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 16 oz. half and half
- 32 oz. vegetable broth
- 16 oz. uncooked spaghetti noodles
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
Garnish
- parsley
- Parmesan
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and oregano along with a couple large pinches of salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently for about a minute.
- Add veggie broth, half and half, uncooked spaghetti along with another pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir to combine, turn heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat and gently simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir every couple of minutes so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn't stick together.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with Parmesan, parsley, and red pepper flakes, and enjoy!
Notes
Shred your own Parmesan! If you have time, always buy the wedge and shred it yourself! It will taste much better than the pre-shredded stuff and it will melt into the creamy garlic pasta sauce better. Wedges are usually cheaper than pre-shredded cheese as well!
One-pot pasta is all about the cooking liquid. It's important to use your judgment as far as adding more liquid towards the end of the cooking process. If it seems to be reducing too quickly and the pasta is not fully cooked yet, add another splash of half and half or veg stock so that the pasta can cook through. You're looking for the sauce to be smooth, creamy, and cheesy!
The Parmesan sauce in this one-pot pasta will thicken as it cools so if you're planning to reheat leftovers, be prepared to add a couple splashes of milk or broth as you're warming it up again. With that said, this pasta reheats well, just make sure to add some liquid and heat over medium heat in a saucepan or pot until it's heated through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5.4 g
- Sodium: 495.5 mg
- Fat: 6.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50.1 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12.8 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: 20 minute dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal
Sheila R.
I can't believe how easy this recipe was and how flavorful. This is one of our family's favorites.
★★★★★
Megan
First time doing this kinda meal. Really easy and taste is so amazing. Love it
★★★★
Luke
Perfect balance of light and creamy!
★★★★★
Midwest Foodie
You could not have described this lemon garlic sauce better!
Lauren
This recipe is really yummy. My only complaint is that it is touted as a vegetarian meal but it is not. Parm is not a vegetarian food. So I made some without the parm and it is tasty and for the rest of the family I added the cheese and they seemed to really enjoy it. A really easy and good recipe...just not vegetarian
Kylie
Hey Lauren! That's a common misconception with Parmesan but actually most of the Parm made in the US is not made with animal rennet and is made with vegetable rennet instead which means that it is vegetarian. It's definitely important to check labels if you're following a vegan/vegetarian diet but lucky for us, *most* Parmesan cheese in the US is vegetarian. My favorite brand is BelGioioso. Can't wait to hear what you think if you try this recipe 🙂
Lauren
Wow! I did not know that! I am going to get some tonight and try it with the parm!!! Thank you
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
This looks and sounds amazing! I love lemon and garlic - and a one pot dinner!? Csn't beat that! Yum!
Midwest Foodie
Right?! I am a sucker for anything with garlic and lemon! I can't think of a more fresh, savory combo. Thanks Alexandra 🙂
Midwest Foodie
A delicious family dinner that your kids will love! It's always easier to get my toddler to eat veggies when they're tossed in a creamy garlic sauce!
★★★★★