Description
This Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta is a luscious and comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender penne pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy garlic sauce made with butter, milk, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy-to-make stovetop meal perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion. The sauce is flavored with minced garlic, a touch of black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and form a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Add dairy: Slowly pour in the whole milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly to keep the sauce smooth. Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, approximately 4–5 minutes.
- Incorporate cheese and seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until the cheese melts fully and the sauce attains a creamy consistency.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly with the creamy garlic sauce. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta before serving for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For added protein, stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese to ensure the smoothest and best-flavored sauce.
- You can substitute half-and-half for the milk and cream for a lighter sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
