One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta

$To make One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta, you need some great ingredients. Here’s what you will use: - 12 oz fettuccine or spaghetti - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and black pepper to taste - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - Extra Parmesan cheese (for serving) Each ingredient plays a key role in this dish. The pasta serves as the base, soaking up all the flavors. The unsalted butter adds richness, while the garlic gives a nice aroma. Vegetable broth helps cook the pasta and adds depth. Heavy cream makes the sauce creamy and smooth. Grated Parmesan cheese is what makes it a true treat. Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning bring everything together. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness. If you love cheese, feel free to add extra Parmesan when serving. This simple combination creates a delightful meal in just one pan. Enjoy the ease and taste of this dish! {{ingredient_image_1}} Melting the Butter Start by taking a large skillet or deep pan. Place it on medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Watch it melt slowly. This butter adds rich flavor to the dish. Sautéing the Garlic Once the butter is melted, add 4 minced garlic cloves. Stir and sauté for 1-2 minutes. You want the garlic to smell good but not burn. This step gives the dish a nice aroma. Adding Vegetable Broth Next, pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil. The broth will help cook the pasta and add flavor. Cooking to Al Dente Now, add 12 ounces of fettuccine or spaghetti. Reduce the heat and let it simmer. Cook the pasta for about 8-10 minutes. Stir it occasionally, so it cooks evenly. It should be al dente, meaning it still has a slight bite. Incorporating Cream and Cheese Once the pasta is cooked, stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix everything well until it becomes creamy. Adjusting Seasoning Let the pasta cook for another 2-3 minutes. This helps the sauce thicken and coat the pasta. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. Once satisfied, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a minute before serving. Stirring Techniques To get a creamy sauce, stir the pasta often while it cooks. This helps the starches release. The starches make the sauce thick and smooth. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to avoid scratching your pan. Stir gently but firmly to coat the pasta well. Adjusting Liquid Levels If your pasta seems dry, add more vegetable broth or cream. Start with a small amount, like a quarter cup. Let it cook for a minute, then check the sauce. You want it to cling to the pasta but not drown it. If it's too saucy, let it cook a bit longer to thicken. Adding More Seasoning Feel free to add more salt and pepper to taste. You can also try other herbs, like basil or oregano. For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Just sprinkle them in while mixing. Taste as you go to find what you like best. Custom Garnishes Garnishing adds a nice touch. Fresh parsley gives a pop of color and flavor. You can also sprinkle more grated Parmesan on top. For a crunch, try toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs. These little details make your dish look and taste special. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta Texture: To achieve the ideal al dente texture, cook the pasta just until it's firm to the bite, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Remember, it will continue to cook slightly in the sauce. Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated for a creamier texture and richer flavor. Freshly grated cheese melts better and enhances the dish significantly. Enhance with Extras: Feel free to add in vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for added nutrition and flavor. You can also toss in cooked chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal. Leftover Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess. {{image_2}} You can add many veggies to make this dish even better. Spinach or kale works great. Just toss them in with the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking. They get soft and blend well with the sauce. Mushrooms or peppers are also great choices. Slice them and sauté them with the garlic. They add nice texture and flavor to the dish. Adding protein can make this meal more filling. Chicken or shrimp are perfect choices. Cook them in the pan first, before adding the garlic. Once cooked, add the broth and pasta. For a vegetarian option, try chickpeas or tofu. Both will soak up the rich flavors and make your pasta hearty. - Storing Leftovers: Let the pasta cool to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. - Reheating Tips: To reheat, add a splash of milk or broth to a pan. Warm over low heat, stirring until heated through. This keeps the pasta creamy and prevents it from drying out. - How to Freeze Pasta: After cooling, divide the pasta into portions. Use freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out air before sealing. Label with the date and freeze for up to two months. - Best Practices for Thawing: To thaw, move the pasta to the fridge overnight. You can also use the microwave. Heat on low power, stirring often until warm. Enjoy your tasty pasta even after freezing! You can use fettuccine or spaghetti for this dish. Both types cook well in one pan. I prefer fettuccine for its wide shape, which holds sauce nicely. You can also use other pasta types, like penne or rotini. Just check the cooking time on the package. Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Simply swap regular pasta for gluten-free pasta. Brands like brown rice or quinoa pasta work well. Keep an eye on the cooking time, as gluten-free pasta may cook faster. To serve more people, just scale up the ingredients. For six servings, use 18 ounces of pasta and 6 tablespoons of butter. Increase the broth and cream in the same ratio. Make sure your pan is large enough to hold it all while cooking. This blog post covered how to make a simple, delicious butter parmesan pasta. We explored key ingredients like fettuccine, garlic, and creamy cheese. You learned to prepare it step-by-step, ensuring the perfect texture. We shared helpful tips for consistency and flavor, plus tasty variations to suit your taste. Finally, we discussed how to store and reheat leftovers. Enjoy your cooking journey and make this dish your own!$

One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta

A creamy and delicious pasta dish made in one pan with butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

12 oz fettuccine or spaghetti
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
to taste Salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped
for serving Extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a large skillet or a wide, deep pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil.
Add the fettuccine or spaghetti to the boiling broth and reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cook the pasta for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients until creamy.
Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the pasta is well coated and the sauce thickens a bit.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Remove from heat and let sit for a minute to thicken slightly before serving.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with extra Parmesan cheese.

Keyword butter, one-pan, parmesan, pasta