One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish that’s perfect for busy evenings when you want a delicious, fuss-free meal. Made with simple ingredients like pasta, garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese, this dish comes together in just one pot—making it easy to prepare and clean up. The garlic-infused sauce is rich, flavorful, and coated over perfectly cooked pasta, making each bite indulgent and satisfying.
The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity. You start by sautéing garlic in butter, allowing it to release its aromatic flavor. Then, you add the pasta along with broth or water, and let everything simmer together. The pasta absorbs the flavors from the garlic and butter, cooking in its own sauce to create a creamy, savory dish without needing cream. Once the pasta is tender, a generous amount of grated Parmesan is stirred in, creating a luscious, velvety sauce that perfectly coats the noodles.
To make One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta even more flavorful, you can add seasonings like red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, fresh parsley for brightness, or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zest. If you want to make it a complete meal, toss in some grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
This dish is ready in about 20 minutes, making it a great weeknight option. The fact that everything is cooked in one pot makes it both time-efficient and easy to clean up afterward. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding the whole family, One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
With its rich flavor, creamy texture, and minimal cleanup, this dish is everything you want in a comfort meal – simple, quick, and full of deliciousness.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Add the spaghetti and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and heavy cream until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
I was skeptical about cooking pasta directly in broth, but it actually worked. I just had to add a splash more broth because my spaghetti drank more liquid than expected. Still delicious.
Just a bowl of noodles and cheese, right? How’s this anything special? 🤷♂️
Not gonna lie, 1 minute for the garlic felt a little short to me—mine was a bit sharper. Next time I’ll sauté closer to 2 minutes and maybe use less garlic.
Yeah I get that—garlic can go from “fragrant” to “sharp/burnt” fast depending on the pan and heat. I usually aim for closer to 1–2 minutes too, and I like to keep a close eye once it starts smelling sweet. Less garlic is a solid tweak if you’re sensitive to it.
This pasta recipe is a lifesaver! So creamy and delicious! My family loved it!
This was okay, but I think it needed more flavor. Maybe some garlic powder or herbs? Everyone said it was bland.
This recipe is a game changer! So easy and so tasty. I made it for my family and they loved it!
2 tablespoons of olive oil? That’s not enough, I put like half a cup. Soggier but better flavor.
Half a cup? Wow, that’s a lot of oil. I guess it depends on what you like! But I’m not sure that’s what they meant by healthy cooking.
5 stars!!! I added some grilled chicken for protein and it was delish!
Eh, didn’t turn out like I thought it would. My pasta was kinda mushy. Maybe I cooked it too long?
It was good, but my spouse said it tasted like cafeteria food. Not sure why.
Cafeteria? Really? I thought it was super creamy and delish! Maybe your spouse just has high standards.
I think it’s just a matter of personal taste. Maybe try adding more spices next time?
1 minute for garlic seems too short—mine tasted a bit raw. I also used regular broth and it turned out salty, so watch that. Not my favorite, sorry.
Heavy cream is a lot… like why not just use milk? But okay, the texture was great. I’ll probably cut the cream in half next time.
Totally feel you—half the cream is usually plenty. The Parmesan + broth already makes it pretty rich, so you can dial it back without ruining the texture.
Easy peasy! Perfect recipe for a busy weeknight. My kids loved it too! Thanks for sharing!
I don’t get why everyone is raving about this. It was just ok to me. Seems too oily.
Garlic in pasta? My mother woulda never allowed that! But I tried it.. my husband liked it lol.
I’m not a great cook but this was easy to follow. Thanks for making cooking less intimidating!
I don’t know… it was okay but kinda bland? Maybe I didn’t add enough salt? Gonna try it again with more spices.
I’m not a fan of heavy cream, so I used half and half instead. Still came out great!
I thought it would be better honestly. The garlic flavor was too strong for my taste.
I actually loved the garlic flavor! Maybe try using less garlic next time.
2 cloves of garlic would’ve been enough! Too much can ruin the dish.
Yummy!!! 🥳 Perfect for a quick dinner, I added some chicken too!
Maybe to much garlic tho.
Can I use whole wheat pasta? Asking for a friend. LOL
Sure, you can! Whole wheat pasta will add a nice nutty flavor. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, it might take a minute or two longer.
Honestly, it tasted bland until I added way more garlic and salt. If you’re sensitive to salt, maybe go easy on the extra, but I’d say adjust seasoning boldly.
Hmm, I don’t like cream sauces usually, but my mom made it, and it was really good!
I love cream sauces! They make everything so much richer and tastier. Your mom sounds like a great cook!
Yum! Simple and delicious! Even my kids ate it without complaints. 👍
That’s awesome to hear! My kids are usually picky eaters, so I might give this a try!
Looks good, but isn’t it too cheesy? I prefer less cheese in my pasta.
I used vegan cheese instead, turned out pretty good. Not the same but still nice!
I’ve never tried vegan cheese, but if it worked for you, I might give it a shot! Just not the same flavor tho.
I thought it was too cheesy, even for me. Maybe cut the cheese in half?
This recipe is so easy and delicious! My family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I tried this and my family loved it too! It was so quick to make, thanks for sharing!
Super quick and delicious! My kids devoured it in minutes!
That’s awesome! Quick meals are the best, especially with kids around. I can’t wait to try this myself!
Not really a fan of garlic. I think I’d skip it next time. Also, heavy cream is too rich for me.
I get that! Garlic can be a strong flavor. You could try adding some herbs instead?! And maybe use half the cream? Just a thought!
No garlic?! What’s pasta without it? Heavy cream is good tho, makes it nice n’ rich. You should try it!
I don’t understand why you would use chicken broth in a pasta dish? Seems weird to me. Maybe it’s just me.
Easy and quick, perfect for weeknight dinners! 10/10 recommend!
I skipped the cream and used milk instead… it didn’t turn out as good. Maybe stick to the recipe?
Yummy! But where is all the parsley in the pictures? Mine turned out bland without it.
Less than 30 min? Perfect for weeknights! I might add some veggies next time.
I’m not a cook and even I could do this! Thank you for making it simple. 💪
This is pretty good, but 1 cup Parmesan feels like a lot for my taste—next time I’ll do maybe 3/4 cup. Also mine thickened too fast, so I loosened it with more cream.
Totally agree—1 cup Parmesan is bold 😄 I’ve done 3/4 cup before and it still tastes super cheesy. Good call adding cream if it thickened too fast.
I tried it with low-sodium broth and it still needed more salt. Maybe my Parmesan was less salty, but seasoning made a difference.
This is basically just pasta swimming in cream and cheese. Not very healthy, but who cares! It was tasty!
I totally agree! It’s not about being healthy, it’s about the flavor. This dish is amazing!
But it’s just so much cheese and cream! Can’t we make it lighter? Like with veggies or something?
Um, this is kinda just spaghetti with cheese, right? I dunno, not impressed.
I get where you’re coming from, but it’s more than just cheese on pasta! The garlic and creamy sauce really make it special. Give it a try!
Nah, you ain’t seen nothing yet! It’s super creamy and the garlic totally changes the flavor. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Made this tonight and it was crazy good—creamy without being heavy. The garlic smell from step 1 is everything. I did add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes and didn’t regret it.
I made this too—so creamy but not greasy. The garlic step really does make the whole pot smell amazing!