Description
Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta is a rich and flavorful weeknight dinner idea made with garlic, butter, cream, and Parmesan. This easy garlic cream sauce recipe is a comforting favorite that comes together in 20 minutes and is perfect for pasta lovers seeking cozy, homemade meals.
Ingredients
1 pound penne pasta
4 tablespoons butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss until evenly coated with the sauce and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
This pasta reheats beautifully with a splash of milk or cream.
You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms to make it a full meal.
Freshly grated Parmesan makes a big difference in flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 110mg