One-Pot Garlic Butter Parmesan Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A smooth and effortless one-pot pasta with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs unsalted butter, garlic cloves, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 8 oz spaghetti pasta
• 1 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
3. Step 3: Add 8 oz spaghetti pasta in a single layer, ensuring it's submerged in the broth; reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until cheese melts and coats the pasta smoothly.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately.