Description
Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta is a luscious, comforting dish featuring perfectly cooked penne pasta enveloped in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with Parmesan cheese and a hint of Italian seasoning. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a restaurant-quality experience at home, garnished with fresh parsley for an added burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
- Water & salt (for boiling)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- A dash of black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve a quarter cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, then season with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and Italian seasoning. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to avoid clumping. If the sauce becomes too thick, slowly add the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the drained penne pasta into the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb fully.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the pasta with chopped fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, and a dash of black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy a creamy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; it helps the sauce cling to the pasta better.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melting.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or additional milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy garlic penne, garlic pasta, Italian pasta recipe, creamy penne, vegetarian pasta dish
