Ah, creamy pasta—comfort food at its finest! Let’s make a versatile, luscious dish that can be adapted with chicken, shrimp, or just veggies. Here’s a solid recipe for a rich, creamy pasta:
Creamy Pasta
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: ½ tsp red pepper flakes for a slight kick
- Optional additions: cooked chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Make the creamy sauce
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently 2–3 minutes.
- Add Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring until smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
3. Combine pasta and sauce
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and coat evenly.
- Stir in optional cooked protein or vegetables.
4. Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
- Extra Parmesan on top is always welcome.
Tips for Perfect Creamy Pasta
- Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for smooth, non-grainy sauce.
- Texture: Don’t overboil the pasta—it will continue cooking in the sauce.
- Creaminess boost: A little cream cheese or mascarpone can make the sauce even silkier.
- One-pan option: Sauté protein/veggies first, then make sauce in the same pan for more flavor.
If you want, I can also give a “garlic parmesan creamy pasta” version with a luxurious pan sauce that’s restaurant-level rich and indulgent.
Do you want me to do that?
