How to Make Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta: An Easy Pasta Dinner Recipe for Family Night!
This Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta recipe features perfectly cooked penne pasta enveloped in a luscious garlic butter and parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it is a comforting and indulgent dish ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal with family and friends.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Let the mixture simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each pasta piece evenly with the creamy garlic sauce.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve the creamy garlic penne pasta hot.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for better melting and flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- This recipe is not suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: creamy garlic penne pasta, easy pasta dinner, family night recipe, quick pasta, weeknight dinner, italian pasta, parmesan pasta