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Whip up insanely creamy garlic parmesan pasta—all in one pan. All you need is buttery angel hair, loads of melty cheese, and a handful of easy ingredients. The end result is pure comfort food. Settle in and let the glossy sauce cling to every pasta strand. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just looking for a chill dinner, you'll love how fuss-free it is to pull together and how fast cleanup goes.
I started tossing this together on those tired nights when my family couldn't stop asking for pasta. Pretty quickly, it turned into a go-to in our house—everyone gets seconds, and there are never any leftovers left behind.
Creamy Ingredients List
- Optional spices: pepper, oregano, onion powder, thyme, parsley... you pick! Give it a taste and adjust until it pops
- Fresh parsley: gives a burst of green and keeps everything bright—flat-leaf is best for that
- Angel hair pasta: cooks in no time and soaks up every bit of sauce—grab strands that feel bendy and golden
- Milk: gets it creamy and smooth—whole milk makes it even richer
- Chicken broth: keeps it savory and helps pasta simmer—use low-salt to fine-tune your seasoning
- Fresh garlic: packs in tons of flavor—get plump, tight cloves if you can
- Butter: that's what makes the base so rich—better flavor with real unsalted butter
- Parmesan cheese: always use a block you grate yourself—it's creamier and melts better for that real flavor punch
Easy How-To Steps
- Add the Toppings:
- Before you dig in, sprinkle a big handful of fresh parsley on top. Turn off the stove so your sauce stays velvety. Dig in while it’s still dreamy and warm.
- Stir in Butter and Parmesan:
- Toss in your last bit of butter. Mix until it’s all glossy. Add the cheese little by little and keep stirring—just a bit of heat helps it melt smoothly. Don’t stress if the sauce seems loose at first. Let it sit for a minute for the pasta to soak up all that creamy goodness.
- Boil the Noodles:
- Snuggle your angel hair right in the pan. Snap them in half if you want. If the noodles are stubborn, let them get soft then twirl into the sauce with tongs. Keep it simmering low for around 4 to 5 minutes and use your spoon so nothing sticks.
- Make the Saucy Base:
- Pour in chicken broth and your spices next. Slowly mix in milk so it all comes together. Turn up the heat until you get a good bubbling boil. Now you’re all set to add pasta.
- Sizzle the Garlic:
- Start by melting two tablespoons of butter in a big skillet over medium. Add chopped garlic and stir for a minute or so—it should smell awesome but don’t let it burn! This step supercharges your butter with that tasty garlic blast.
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Using top-notch parmesan really takes this pasta over the top. The smell always brings me back to childhood, grating cheese at the kitchen table with my grandma. Watching the shavings melt into the sauce feels like a hug from home.
How to Store It
Leftovers stay fresh for up to three days in a sealed container in the fridge. When you’re ready for more, add a little broth or milk before gently reheating on the stove or in the microwave. If the pasta looks extra thick, some liquid fluffs it back up to creamy again.
Try These Swaps
If you want it even richer, use half and half instead of milk—the sauce thickens up a little faster too. You can switch to veggie broth for a lighter vibe or if you want to skip the meat. No angel hair? Thin spaghetti works, just let it cook a touch longer.
Tasty Ways to Serve
This dish really pops with more parmesan and a chunk of cheesy garlic bread. Want it heartier? Top with juicy lemony chicken or sautéed shrimp. Roasted broccoli or a crisp salad is awesome on the side for a more complete meal.
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Home Kitchen Roots
Garlic and parmesan are an everyday favorite in American and Italian kitchens. When we’d run low on groceries, a creamy parmesan sauce was our never-fail fallback—just like my family in Italy used to do. It’s all about great cheese, fresh stuff, and turning basics into something rich and warming.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use a different type of pasta?
Totally. Angel hair cooks the fastest, but try linguine or spaghetti if you like. You'll just want to keep an eye on the pot and let them cook a bit longer until they're just right.
- → How can I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?
Switch off the burner before tossing in your parmesan, then add it slowly while stirring without stopping. Letting the pot cool a bit first keeps that cheesy sauce silky instead of weird and lumpy.
- → Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
You bet. Use veggie broth instead of chicken broth, and you still get amazing flavor with zero meat.
- → What can I serve alongside this pasta?
This goes awesome with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or roasted broccoli for a little color and crunch.
- → Can I add protein to this pasta?
For sure. Stir in cooked shrimp, grilled chicken, or some sautéed mushrooms to make it even heartier.
- → How do I store leftovers?
Let everything cool down, pop it into a sealed container, and stash it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm it gently with a splash of milk so it stays creamy.