It’s an easy all-in-one pan dish that’s full of Pecorino and Parmesano Reggiano cheese blended and done in just 20 minutes to creamy perfection!
Make this easy flavorful pasta for a quick light lunch, side dish, or for a whole meal top this with leftovers and it is great for that busy weeknight meal.
This dish has some chicken or vegetable broth to give that creamy texture that will make this a family favorite side dish with any meal.
We have turned this recipe into several main meals just by adding leftovers from a previous meal and topping the pasta with boneless meats, seafood, or even roasted vegetables.
The cheesy garlic-style cream sauce for this pasta is made in less than 20 minutes and is perfect for any weeknight meal or a quick lunch.
We added some suggestions and mix-ins below and for a printable copy of this recipe just scroll down to the bottom of the post.
The Easiest Creamy Pasta Side Dish Ever!
If you have picky eaters in your home like we do, this will be a big hit and even the pickiest eaters will ask for more, the flavors and creamy sauce are just a light cheesy creamy bite in every forkful.
During a busy weekday, this pasta comes together quickly and satisfies even the heartiest of appetites.
An inexpensive meal with easy-to-find ingredients in any local supermarket.
In a pinch, you can even substitute the heavy cream for half and half or whole milk and I am a firm believer to taste as you go so add more garlic, salt, pepper if you're a big fan like we are.
Here is a Quick Look Step-by-Step Making this Creamy Garlic Pasta:
- saute the garlic in olive oil
- add butter and broth
- cook pasta in another pot to package instructions
- add the cream, then cooked pasta to coat
- Optional: garnish with parsley or another herb you prefer like basil or both!
Ingredients To Have On Hand
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic cloves, minced
- granulated garlic powder
- butter
- chicken broth or vegetable ( more if the sauce gets too thick)
- Spaghetti or another pasta you prefer
- grated Pecorino Romano and Parmesano Reggiano blended cheese
- heavy cream (whole milk or half and half)
- Optional: red pepper flakes for a little heat,
- chopped fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Additions Mix-Ins and Pasta Suggestions
- fresh spinach leaves
- sliced onions
- sauteed mushrooms
- sauteed broccoli rabe
- diced tomatoes
- artichoke hearts
- cooked boneless chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, lamb
- stir-fried, roasted, or steamed vegetables
- shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams
- penne pasta, shells, or bow-tie pasta can are also great with this recipe
- note: in a pinch substitute the heavy cream for half and half or whole milk
More Recipes to Try:
Cappellini Spinach Pomodoro
15 Pasta Recipes
Shrimp Fra Diavolo
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Creamy Pasta Side Dish or a Whole Meal
If you're a big fan of creamy pasta dishes, this is an easy one to try with just a few ingredients that provides a big bold taste.
For all meals instead of a side dish we suggest topping the pasta with cooked meats, vegetables, or your favorite steamed seafood.
One of our optional additions is to sprinkle little red pepper flakes on top for a little heat.
This American-Italian-style lighter creamy pasta side dish is terrific for a light brunch or lunch.
Creamy Garlic Pasta
Yield: 4
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min
This easy American Italian garlic pasta is a creamy delicious side dish or whole meal if you tap it with grilled shrimp or chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or vegetable ( more if the sauce gets too thick)
- 8 - ounces of Spaghetti or another pasta you prefer
- 2/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano and Parmesano Reggiano blended cheese
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- salted water to boil pasta in to package instructions we prefer al dente
- Optional: red pepper flakes for a little heat and salt and pepper to taste, chopped parsley and basil
- Note: recipe can be doubled and if the sauce gets too thick add pasta water to thin out or more broth
Instructions
- In a large deep pot boil the pasta to package instructions and set it aside.
- In a deep frying pan add the olive oil and saute the garlic until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in the butter until it all melts stirring until it starts to get golden just around 1 more minute
- Add the broth and simmer for around 4 minutes.
- Stir in the cheeses ( add more if you like but this is just enough not to be salty), and heavy cream to coat the pasta.
- Serve with chopped fresh basil and parsley on top is optional.
- Optional: for a little heat add some red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Additions Mix-Ins and Pasta Suggestions (around 1 cup)
- fresh spinach leaves
- sliced onions
- add more garlic if you're a huge fan like we are
- artichoke hearts
- diced tomatoes or sundried tomatoes
- mushrooms
- cooked boneless chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, lamb
- sauteed vegetables or roasted
- shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams
- other kinds of pasta to use: noodles, angel hair, rigatoni, penne pasta, shells, or bow-tie pasta can are also great with this recipe
- Note: in a pinch substitute the heavy cream for half and half or whole milk simmer longer to thicken
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More Recipes We Love
Mom's Homemade Italian Sausage Recipe
Pasta and Broccoli Aioli
Homemade Orecchiette
Roman-StyleSpaghetti Alla Carbonara
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2023.