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This creamy garlic pasta is fast, simple, and delicious! A weeknight favorite. This easy pasta recipe can be on your table in about 15 minutes!

creamy garlic pasta in earthenware bowl

Sometimes you just want comfort food. And fast. This pasta does this trick!

There’s plenty of creamy pasta recipes out there… some made with cream, and others with cream cheese or milk. You can’t beat the taste of real cream, in my opinion, so that’s what I went with. This recipe isn’t far off Fettuccine Alfredo, so if you like that, you’ll probably like this garlic parmesan pasta.

creamy garlic pasta in earthenware bowl with spaghetti twirled on a fork

How to make creamy garlic pasta sauce (overview):

In a skillet, make a quick roux with the butter and flour, then stir in the garlic and chicken broth. You then add the cream and let the sauce thicken. Just prior to serving, add the parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Toss with the pasta and enjoy! (Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below)

Sooo easy. And that creamy garlic sauce is so tasty.

close-up of creamy garlic pasta on fork

Recipe notes & tips:

  • I like this pasta as-is, but it’s a great blank canvas for adding in cooked chicken or other type or protein. You could even add some veggies (try a handful of peas) if you wanted to.
  • I used linguine, but any kind of pasta (whatever’s in stock in your pantry!) will do. Penne would work great in this creamy pasta dish.
  • I definitely recommend adding the parsley because it livens the dish up a bit. The freshness and touch of green is the perfect balance to the decadence of the creamy sauce.
  • You could make this creamy pasta sauce with milk or half-and-half, but I haven’t tested it out. You’ll end up with a thinner sauce, but you will save some calories. If you do want to go that route, I suggest adding a touch more flour (but not too much more – you don’t want it to taste too floury) and/or cooking it for a bit longer so it reduces.
  • I used chicken broth because it adds a lot of flavor to this simple dish. You could sub with vegetable broth if you really need this dish to be vegetarian, but I do personally prefer the taste when you use chicken broth/stock.

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creamy garlic pasta in earthenware bowl on grey surface

I hope you will love this easy creamy garlic parmesan pasta recipe! Will you give it a try? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.

This easy creamy garlic pasta recipe is a fast and tasty weeknight comfort food dinner! 
4.91 from 20 votes

Creamy Garlic Pasta

This creamy garlic pasta is fast, easy, and delicious! A weeknight favorite. This easy pasta recipe can be on your table in about 15 minutes!
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta I used linguine
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon flour
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, to taste

Instructions 

  • Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
  • When the pasta isn't far from being cooked, it's time to start the sauce. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour and let the roux cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. 
  • Stir in the garlic and chicken broth and let it simmer for about a minute.
  • Add in the cream and let the sauce cook for a few more minutes until it's thickened to your liking, then add the parmesan cheese, salt & pepper as needed, and parsley. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce until well coated (add a little pasta water if you wish to thin the sauce a bit). Serve immediately. 

Notes

  • I do all the prep while the pasta is cooking, so that's why I don't put anything for prep time. 
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
     

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 96mg, Sodium: 232mg, Potassium: 201mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1035IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 148mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Hi! I’m Natasha.

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68 Comments

  1. Prepared this tonight, so easy to put together and so delicious. The family loved it, will be making it again, so good.

  2. 5 stars
    Perfect for a weeknight! Added some bacon and mushrooms for an even more filling meal! Easy and delicious recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    I made this last night and it was quick and delicious. I followed your recipe but did add in some steamed broccoli florets. I had mine with a lovely glass of Chardonnay. I’ll definitely make it again!

  4. 5 stars
    Just made this and added a chopped up Costco Alaskan salmon burger real small and WOW amazing addition but definitely would be amazing on its own!! Will be making again! Any suggestions for how to properly heat up without it separating?
    Thank you!!

    1. Excellent! For reheating, I’d slowly reheat over a low heat. Preferably on the stove or just do short bursts if using a microwave. You may need to add another splash of cream if it’s looking a bit dry.