Creamy Pasta
Easy creamy pasta recipe ready in 30 minutes! Fettuccine with garlic parmesan cream sauce. Perfect weeknight dinner with simple ingredients you already have.
Equipment
- large pot
- large skillet or Dutch oven
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- tongs
- cutting board
- knife
- grater
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8 to 10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta well and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly softened but not browned.
- Pour in the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream, stirring to combine it with the garlic and butter. Bring the cream mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly so that it coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Continue stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a smooth, creamy sauce. Taste and season with additional salt, if needed.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the creamy sauce in the skillet. Using tongs, toss the pasta thoroughly, ensuring every strand or piece is evenly coated with the rich sauce.
- If the sauce appears too thick, add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring until the sauce reaches your desired velvety consistency.
- Serve the creamy pasta immediately in warm bowls. Garnish each portion with an optional sprinkle of the 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley and additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.