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๐Ÿฅ˜Recipes by Nani
Dinner

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This simple and comforting pasta dish is the perfect solution for a busy weeknight dinner.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Italianยท July 19, 2026
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
recipesbynani.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
4

When you have a long day, there is nothing quite like a big bowl of warm, creamy pasta to make you feel right at home. This recipe uses pantry staples to create a meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare.

My best tip for this recipe is to save a little bit of the pasta water before you drain the noodles. Adding that starchy water to the sauce makes it perfectly silky and helps the cheese cling to every strand of spaghetti.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.

  2. 2

    Before draining, scoop out half a cup of the pasta water and set it aside.

  3. 3

    In the same pot or a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

  4. 4

    Add the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until it smells wonderful.

  5. 5

    Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for two minutes.

  6. 6

    Turn the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it is melted and smooth.

  7. 7

    Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.

  8. 8

    Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

Serve this with a side of steamed broccoli or a crisp green salad to round out the meal. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When reheating, add a small splash of milk to bring the creamy texture back to life.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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