Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta is a luscious and comforting dish featuring perfectly cooked penne pasta tossed in a rich and velvety garlic cream sauce made with butter, garlic, flour, whole milk, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Enhanced with Italian seasoning and fresh parsley, this easy-to-make pasta is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a cozy meal with loved ones.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
For the Garlic Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Make a Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed garlic. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour and form a smooth paste without lumps.
- Add Milk and Cream: Gradually pour in whole milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly. Continue cooking the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and optional Italian seasoning. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Toss the Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy garlic sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta for a fresh, vibrant finish before serving immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with additional milk or a milk alternative.
- Ensure the garlic does not brown during sautéing to avoid a bitter flavor.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk to loosen it before serving.
- This recipe can be made vegetarian by keeping the Parmesan cheese vegetarian-friendly or substituting it with a vegetarian hard cheese.
Keywords: creamy garlic penne pasta, garlic cream sauce, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta, vegetarian pasta
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/creamy-garlic-penne-pasta-recipe/
