Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a quick, one-pot meal that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen in just 20 minutes. This dish features tender angel hair pasta tossed in a velvety, buttery cream sauce that the whole family will enjoy. It is the perfect easy dinner solution for busy weeknights when you want something comforting yet sophisticated.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a true gem because it requires minimal cleanup and very little prep work. Since the pasta cooks directly in the sauce, every strand is infused with rich garlic and savory cheese flavors. It is incredibly versatile, making it the perfect base to pair with your favorite proteins like chicken, steak, or shrimp. Even picky eaters will love the simple, buttery goodness of this 20-minute meal.

Ingredients

• 1/2 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: 1/4 tsp each of onion powder, oregano, thyme, parsley, and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Grate the Parmesan cheese and set it aside to allow it to reach room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and add the optional seasoning mix if desired. Slowly stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Add the angel hair pasta noodles to the boiling liquid. You can break them in half to fit the pan or use kitchen tongs to twist them into the skillet as they soften.
6. Let the pasta simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so the noodles do not stick together. Once cooked, reduce the heat to low.
7. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the warm pasta and toss until coated.
8. Gradually sprinkle in the room-temperature Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and well-combined.
9. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To achieve the best results with your Garlic Parmesan Pasta, always purchase a block of high-quality Parmesan cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in anti-clumping agents that prevent them from melting smoothly. Another critical tip is to turn off the heat before adding the cheese; if the sauce is too hot, the dairy may separate, resulting in a grainy texture. Finally, because angel hair pasta cooks so quickly, be sure to set a timer to avoid overcooked, clumpy noodles.

Variations & Substitutions

While this recipe calls for milk, you can use half and half for a richer, more decadent sauce. If you do not have angel hair pasta, you can use spaghetti, though you may need to adjust the cooking time and liquid levels slightly. For a seafood twist, add one or two cans of minced clams when you add the chicken broth. You can also stir in some sautéed spinach or sun-dried tomatoes at the end for added color and nutrition.

Serving Suggestions

This Garlic Parmesan Pasta pairs beautifully with a variety of main dishes. For a complete Italian-inspired meal, serve it alongside Chicken Piccata, Creamy Lemon Chicken, or Chicken Milanese. If you prefer seafood, Garlic Butter Shrimp or Creamy Garlic Shrimp make excellent additions. Don’t forget a side of roasted broccoli and some warm garlic bread with cheese to soak up any extra sauce.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This dish can also be frozen for up to three months, though the texture of the cream sauce may change slightly upon thawing. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to the pan to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency.

Nutrition Information

Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a quick, one-pot meal that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen in just 20 minutes. This dish features tender angel hair pasta tossed in a velvety, buttery cream sauce that the whole family will enjoy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 382

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 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: 1/4 tsp each of onion powder, oregano, thyme, parsley, and pepper

Method

 

1. Grate the Parmesan cheese and set it aside to allow it to reach room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
   1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
   3 Tablespoons butter
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
   4 cloves fresh garlic
4. Pour in the chicken broth and add the optional seasoning mix if desired. Slowly stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a boil.
   2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup milk, Optional seasonings: 1/4 tsp each of onion powder, oregano, thyme, parsley, and pepper
5. Add the angel hair pasta noodles to the boiling liquid. You can break them in half to fit the pan or use kitchen tongs to twist them into the skillet as they soften.
   8 oz. angel hair pasta
6. Let the pasta simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so the noodles do not stick together. Once cooked, reduce the heat to low.
7. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the warm pasta and toss until coated.
   3 Tablespoons butter
8. Gradually sprinkle in the room-temperature Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and well-combined.
   1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
9. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
   Fresh Parsley

Notes

Always purchase a block of high-quality Parmesan cheese and shred it yourself to ensure it melts smoothly. Turn off the heat before adding the cheese to prevent the sauce from separating and becoming grainy.

FAQ