One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta

Introduction

One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is the answer for anyone craving comforting flavor and minimal cleanup. This recipe magnifies the savory power of garlic, infuses every strand of pasta with luscious creaminess, and brings it all together in a single pot for simple cooking and even easier cleanup. It’s both an elegant weeknight dinner solution and the kind of meal that’s ready to delight a crowd with little fuss and tons of flavor.

Deliciously Simple and Comforting

What sets this recipe apart is the balance of roasted garlic flavor, silky sauce, and tender pasta, all cooked together so the starch from the noodles thickens the sauce naturally. This means you get restaurant-quality pasta with rich, garlic-forward taste and a perfectly creamy consistency, right from your own kitchen—and you only need one pot.

Creating Perfect Creamy Garlic Sauce

The magic begins by sautéing fresh garlic until golden and fragrant. Then, everything—including the pasta, broth, and cream—is combined directly in the pot, letting the pasta absorb flavors as it cooks. Grated parmesan and a touch of butter finish the dish for extra richness and velvety sauce that clings to every noodle.

How to Master the One Pot Technique

The true beauty of this dish is its simplicity. Rather than juggling separate pans or draining water, the starchy pasta liquid helps thicken the sauce as everything simmers together. This not only keeps dishes to a minimum but also ensures every bite bursts with creamy, garlicky flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Pasta

Serve this dish hot, garnished with extra parmesan, fresh-cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil. For a heartier meal, top with grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms, or steamed broccoli. Pair with a simple green salad and crusty bread to round out the meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves four, with each portion providing approximately 410 calories. You’ll get a hearty helping of carbs and moderate protein, with plenty of calcium and bold flavor thanks to parmesan and cream. The recipe is vegetarian and can be made gluten-free with your favorite GF pasta.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making grocery shopping efficient and your weekly meal planning seamless.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just golden—about 1 minute (take care not to burn!).
2. Add the dry pasta, broth, and cream to the pot. Increase heat to bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
3. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has reduced, about 10–12 minutes.
4. Stir in parmesan cheese and butter until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Remove from heat. Let pasta sit for 1–2 minutes to thicken. If needed, add an extra splash of cream or broth for a looser sauce.
6. Garnish with extra parmesan and chopped parsley or basil. Serve immediately, with any desired add-ins.

Weekly Meal Planning

This one pot meal is a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep rotation, saving both time and effort. Save and schedule this recipe to make planning a snap—CookifyAI will generate smart shopping lists that pull ingredients from all your planned recipes.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically adjusts ingredient quantities based on selected servings
• Organizes all ingredients by grocery store section for easy shopping
• Avoids duplicated ingredients and forgotten pantry staples
• Makes it simple to plan, prep, and enjoy a variety of meals every week

Pro tip: When you plan multiple meals in CookifyAI, your shopping list will add up ingredient amounts (e.g., total garlic needed for all dishes), ensuring you only buy exactly what you use—saving you money and cutting down on food waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Enjoy the rich flavors and easy cleanup of this One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta—it’s a natural fit for busy nights and flavorful weekly meal planning!