Creamy Garlic Parmesan Penne

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

Luxuriously creamy pasta with garlic and parmesan in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup, grated parmesan cheese
• 5 cloves, minced garlic
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• to taste salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 1 lb penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente (firm to the bite). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. Tip: Use a timer to avoid overcooking, which makes pasta mushy.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat, swirling the pan to coat the bottom evenly. Tip: Use a non-stick skillet for even heat distribution.
3. Step 3: Add 5 cloves minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned. Tip: Don’t stir the garlic too early—it needs contact with the hot pan to caramelize without burning.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, stirring to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, about 2-3 minutes, until the liquid begins to thicken slightly.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, adding 1/4 cup reserved pasta water at a time, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy. Tip: Add cheese off the heat to prevent clumping.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is evenly coated and glossy. Tip: Tossing ensures even distribution of the creamy sauce.
7. Step 7: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and salt to taste, tasting and adjusting as needed. Tip: Use a pinch of salt at a time to avoid over-salting.
8. Step 8: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and a light sprinkle of parmesan if desired. Tip: Fresh parsley adds brightness; add it at the end to preserve its color and flavor.