One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
A simple, creamy pasta dish cooked entirely in one pot with aromatic garlic and sharp Parmesan, perfect for busy weeknights. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz spaghetti and 1 tsp salt, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
- Step 3: Add the drained spaghetti to the pot along with 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the cheese melts and coats the pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach a creamy consistency.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.









