Half-and-Half Creamy Pasta
A velvety pasta dish featuring a luscious sauce made with half and half cream, melted cheese, and fresh herbs, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, medium, finely diced onion 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- to taste salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, finely diced, and cook for 5 minutes until translucent, then add 3 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup half and half, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 tsp dried thyme. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce reaches a creamy consistency, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-and-Half Creamy Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-and-Half Creamy Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Creamy Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-and-Half Creamy Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-and-Half Creamy Pasta?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
