Description

This creamy garlic penne pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring perfectly cooked penne tossed in a luscious homemade garlic cream sauce. Made with butter, garlic, flour, whole milk, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, it’s a deliciously indulgent meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any weeknight dinner or special occasion.

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
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté garlic: In the same pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Create roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and continue cooking for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes golden brown and bubbly, which helps remove the raw flour taste.
Add liquids: Gradually pour in the whole milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce starts to thicken, about 4-5 minutes.
Finish sauce: Lower the heat, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted and fully incorporated. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Toss pasta: Return the cooked penne to the pot and toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the creamy garlic sauce.
Serve: Serve immediately while hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with additional milk or use half-and-half.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
Adjust the seasoning at the end carefully, as Parmesan adds saltiness.
To add protein, consider mixing in grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed mushrooms.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to prevent sauce separation.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Boiling, Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 460 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 17 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: creamy garlic penne pasta, garlic cream sauce pasta, Parmesan pasta recipe, easy creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta dish