Description
This creamy garlic butter pasta is a quick, comforting family dinner featuring tender pasta shells coated in a rich, garlicky, buttery sauce with Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please even picky eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta shells
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta shells and cook until just al dente (about 8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the rest.
- While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, without browning.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Lower the heat slightly and let the mixture bubble for 2-3 minutes until it thickens a bit.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes glossy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta shells to the skillet. Toss gently so every shell gets coated with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Add more pasta water if needed for a silky texture.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a fresh finish. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh Parmesan for best results. For extra flavor, infuse butter with thyme or bay leaf while sautéing garlic. Add red pepper flakes for a kick. For gluten-free or dairy-free, substitute pasta and dairy ingredients as needed. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or pasta water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1.5 cups pasta)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 56
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic butter pasta, quick dinner, family meal, comfort food, Italian pasta, weeknight recipe, vegetarian pasta