Description
This creamy garlic penne pasta is a quick and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender penne pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce made from butter, fresh garlic, milk, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful, satisfying meal garnished with fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Cream Sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and whisk for 1-2 minutes to form a smooth roux.
- Add Milk and Cream: Slowly pour in the milk and cream while whisking constantly. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce cook for 1-2 more minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding a little more milk if it becomes too thick.
- Italian seasoning is optional but adds a nice herbal note to the sauce.
- To make it lighter, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Fresh parsley adds color and a fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.