Description
A fast, budget-friendly, and restaurant-quality creamy garlic alfredo pasta that comes together in just 20 minutes using simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Chop garlic, grate Parmesan, and measure out all components before starting.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse pasta.
- Sauté aromatics: While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring garlic does not brown.
- Build sauce: Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Gradually add grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. If too thick, add pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
- Combine: Add drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed. Taste and adjust salt.
- Serve: Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan, black pepper, and optional fresh basil or olive oil.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan; pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that cause graininess. Always remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent seizing. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For a richer finish, swirl in a tablespoon of cold butter at the end.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: alfredo pasta, creamy garlic pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meals, comfort food, 20 minute meals