🍝🧄 Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta — Rich, Cheesy and Ready for an Easy Weeknight Dinner!
This Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta is the kind of dinner you make when you want something comforting, easy, and absolutely satisfying.
Tender penne pasta is coated in a silky garlic-Parmesan cream sauce that clings to every tube and fills every bite with rich flavor.
It is delicious on its own, but you can easily add chicken, shrimp, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, or bacon to turn it into a complete dinner.
⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total Time: About 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup reserved pasta water, as needed
Optional Add-Ins
- Grilled chicken
- Cooked shrimp
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Baby spinach
- Broccoli
- Bacon
- Sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
1. Cook the Penne
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the penne and cook until al dente, according to package directions.
Before draining, reserve approximately ½ cup pasta water.
Drain the pasta.
Do not rinse.
2. Cook the Garlic
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly.
Do not let the garlic burn.
3. Make the Roux
Sprinkle flour over the garlic butter.
Whisk continuously for approximately 1 minute.
This removes the raw flour taste.
4. Add the Milk
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.
Add the heavy cream.
Continue whisking until smooth.
5. Simmer
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
Do not boil aggressively.
6. Add Parmesan
Reduce the heat to low.
Add Parmesan gradually, stirring until melted and smooth.
7. Season
Add:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Optional crushed red pepper
Taste and adjust seasoning.
8. Add the Pasta
Add the drained penne directly to the sauce.
Toss until every piece is coated.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time.
9. Finish and Serve
Stir in chopped parsley.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Tips for the Best Creamy Pasta
✅ Cook pasta only until al dente.
✅ Reserve pasta water.
✅ Use freshly grated Parmesan.
✅ Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer.
✅ Add cheese over low heat.
✅ Serve immediately for the creamiest texture.
Chicken Penne Pasta
Add 2 cups sliced cooked chicken.
Grilled or pan-seared chicken works beautifully.
Shrimp Penne Pasta
Season 1 pound peeled shrimp with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Cook in a little olive oil for approximately 1–2 minutes per side.
Add to the finished pasta.
Spinach Penne
Stir 3 cups baby spinach into the sauce just before adding the pasta.
Cook until wilted.
Mushroom Penne
Sauté 8 ounces sliced mushrooms until golden.
Add them to the sauce before the pasta.
Broccoli Penne
Add 2 cups cooked broccoli florets.
For convenience, add broccoli to the pasta water during the final 3 minutes of cooking.
Spicy Penne
Increase the crushed red pepper flakes and add a pinch of cayenne.
Tomato Cream Penne
Stir 1 cup marinara sauce into the cream sauce.
This creates a creamy pink sauce.
What to Serve with Penne Pasta
Serve with:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Grilled chicken
- Meatballs
- Shrimp
- Steamed broccoli
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Warm slowly in a skillet over low heat.
Add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
The microwave also works, but heat in short intervals and stir frequently.
Make-Ahead Tip
Prepare the sauce ahead and refrigerate separately.
Cook fresh pasta when ready to serve and combine everything while hot.
📌 Save this creamy penne recipe for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast!
👇 Would you add chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, broccoli, or keep it classic?
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