Description
A quick and delicious recipe for creamy garlic penne pasta, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra protein and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg