If you’re in the mood for something creamy, comforting, and completely foolproof, this Garlic Parmesan Pasta is your new go-to. It’s rich, cheesy, loaded with garlicky goodness, and comes together in just 15 minutes with one pan and a handful of pantry staples. It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like a treat but is so easy, you could make it with a baby on your hip and one eye on the clock. Prepare the perfect pasta dish using this recipe for Garlic Parmesan Pasta. It’s an easy dish that everyone can enjoy, including any picky eaters you have at home.
This is the pasta I turn to when I need something cozy, quick, and crowd-pleasing. It’s the best of all worlds: buttery, garlicky, and loaded with parmesan in a creamy, light sauce that clings to tender angel hair noodles. Whether you serve it as a main or a side dish, there’s never a bite left behind.
What exactly is this Pasta?
This Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a fast, one-pan pasta dish made with angel hair noodles simmered in a creamy, garlicky broth, then finished with melted parmesan cheese. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that flavor while creating a silky texture that’s rich without being heavy. Think of it as a cross between Alfredo and garlic butter pasta — lighter, quicker, and absolutely loaded with flavor.
Make an Italian-inspired dish with this simple recipe for Garlic Parmesan Pasta. It won’t take long to assemble this flavorful meal. Serve it with a side salad and some crispy, buttery garlic bread, and you will have a complete meal to enjoy with the family.
When to Serve
This is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for:
- Busy weeknights when you need something fast and satisfying
- Meatless Monday (or add chicken, shrimp, or sausage to bulk it up)
- Side dish for steak, roasted chicken, or grilled veggies
- Last-minute entertaining — it feels restaurant-worthy but takes no time
- Picky eater–friendly meals — no strong herbs or overwhelming sauces
It also reheats surprisingly well, so it’s great for lunch the next day if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers.
Pasta with Parmesan
Ditch the boxed pasta meals and make a fresh pasta dish using flavorful yet straightforward ingredients. This Garlic Parmesan Pasta recipe demonstrates how easy it is to create an Italian-inspired dish from scratch using ingredients like freshly grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, butter, and chicken broth. You might even already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- Easy – Who says preparing pasta from scratch has to be difficult? This dish is so simple and foolproof!
- Flavorful – The parmesan cheese tastes fantastic with the fresh garlic and other ingredients used to make this delicious pasta.
- Customizable – Serve this with some of your favorite add-ons, including chopped pieces of broccoli, fresh corn, or even sauteed mushrooms.
This pasta is low-effort, fast-cooking, and the ingredients are probably already in your fridge and pantry. You don’t need cream, heavy sauces, or complicated steps — just butter, garlic, broth, milk, cheese, and pasta. The angel hair noodles soak up flavor fast and cook in minutes, making this a real-time saver.
And the best part? That parmesan. As it melts into the garlicky broth, it thickens the sauce into something silky, rich, and savory — without feeling heavy like a traditional cream sauce. Sprinkle a little extra on top right before serving and you’ve got something simple, elegant, and totally craveable.
Parmesan Spaghetti Ingredients
You won’t need too many ingredients to prepare this amazing Garlic Parmesan Pasta. In fact, if you’re ready to make this delicious meal, you will need:
- Parmesan Cheese – Start grating your fresh Parmesan cheese. You will need a full cup of it.
- Butter – Use around three tablespoons of butter for this recipe, adding more flavor to your spaghetti dish.
- Garlic – Grab four cloves of garlic, peel, and mince them.
- Chicken Broth – Using chicken broth instead of water will help enhance the flavor of this Garlic Parmesan Pasta.
- Milk – A cup of milk is a must to prepare the creamy, flavorful sauce. Using whole milk is highly recommended.
- Angel Hair Pasta – Don’t forget the pasta. Use any brand of angel hair!
Garlic Parmesan Pasta Substitutes
- If you don’t have angel hair, you can always use spaghetti. You can even use thin spaghetti, which is as similar to angel hair as possible.
- Feel free to substitute your milk for heavy cream. The heavy cream will work well to create a tasty garlic parmesan sauce for your pasta.
- If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use jarred minced garlic, which will work just as well.
Recipe Notes for Pasta with Parmesan
- You can use traditional butter or flavored butter. For example, you may want to use garlic and herb butter, which will enhance the flavor of this delicious dish.
- Allow your sauce to sit and thicken for a bit. It may look thin at first, but it should thicken when you add the pasta to absorb a bit of the sauce.
- If you want to make a spicy version of this dish, you can add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into your sauce mixture.
What to Serve with the Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Garlic bread is always a great side dish to serve with pasta. You can make it yourself or purchase pre-made garlic bread.
- If you want to add a veggie to this recipe, steamed broccoli pairs well with the Garlic Parmesan Pasta. You can even add it to your pasta for an added crunch.
- A side salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and your favorite dressing would also go great with this pasta recipe.
FAQs
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes! Angel hair works best for fast cook time and sauce absorption, but spaghetti, linguine, or even fettuccine work great. Just adjust the simmer time as needed.
Do I have to use whole milk?
Whole milk makes the sauce creamier, but 2% works fine too. Avoid skim or non-dairy milks unless they’re unsweetened and full-fat, as it can affect flavor and texture.
What kind of parmesan should I use?
Freshly grated parmesan melts best and gives the smoothest texture. Pre-shredded cheese works in a pinch but may make the sauce slightly grainy.
Can I add protein?
Absolutely — grilled or shredded chicken, shrimp, sausage, or even crispy bacon take this from side dish to full meal.
Can I make it ahead of time?
It’s best served right away while the sauce is silky and hot, but leftovers reheat well. Add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to bring back the creaminess.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh?
Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but in a pinch, use ½ teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
Is this freezer-friendly?
Not really — the dairy in the sauce doesn’t freeze well and can separate when thawed. Stick to fresh or refrigerated leftovers.
Why is my sauce too thin or too thick?
If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer a minute or two longer so the pasta absorbs more liquid, or stir in extra parmesan to thicken. If it’s too thick, just add a splash of warm milk or broth until you reach your desired consistency.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — just swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta and double-check that your broth and parmesan are certified gluten-free. Cooking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on the pasta as it simmers.
Even my picky eaters loved this one — the kids had seconds, and even the baby couldn’t get enough of those soft, cheesy noodles. It’s officially one of those meals I can count on for a quiet dinner (and clean plates all around).
Garlic Parmesan Pasta is one of those dishes that proves simple can be seriously delicious. It’s fast, filling, and fancy-feeling without the work. Whether you serve it as a side or the star of the show, it’s one of those recipes that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. And with only one pan to clean? That’s a win all around.
More Pasta Recipes
Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 3 TBS butter
- 4 Teaspoons garlic minced ( approx. 4 cloves)
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Milk whole milk is best
- 8 oz Angel Hair Pasta
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. After it’s melted, add the garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth slowly. Then, add the milk to combine, stirring well.
- Sprinkle in the salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Add the angel hair noodles and let them simmer in the sauce for 4 – 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the parmesan cheese, stirring as you add it to help it melt into the sauce. The sauce will thicken as the cheese incorporates and the pasta absorbs some of the liquid.
- Serve immediately with extra parmesan sprinkled on top if you wish.
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