Description
This Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pot dish made with angel hair pasta, fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a rich buttery sauce. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, garnished with fresh parsley and served with garlic bread for an extra indulgent touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ½ 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
Instructions
- Prepare Parmesan: Grate the Parmesan cheese and set it aside at room temperature to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce later.
- Melt Butter and Cook Garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth followed by the milk while stirring. Bring the mixture to a boil to prepare for cooking the pasta.
- Add Pasta: Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling liquid. You may break the noodles in half for easier fitting or wait for them to soften and twist to fit using tongs.
- Simmer Pasta: Let the pasta simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reduce the heat to low to gently cook the pasta through.
- Add Butter and Toss: Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to coat the warm pasta, enhancing richness and flavor.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta, stirring continuously until the cheese melts smoothly and the sauce thickens. Note that the sauce will be thin initially but will thicken as it stands and the pasta absorbs the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the pasta for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately, ideally with a side of garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.
Notes
- Ensure the liquid is boiling before adding the pasta to achieve the best sauce consistency.
- You can substitute milk with half and half, but the sauce may be a bit thicker.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan from a quality block cheese (such as Belgioioso) for optimal melt and flavor—aged cheese melts less effectively.
- Turn off the heat before adding cheese to avoid dairy separation and grainy texture.
- Add cheese gradually while stirring continuously for a smooth sauce.
- If only spaghetti is available, try substituting it in this recipe or explore the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
