Description
This creamy garlic butter pasta is a quick, comforting weeknight dinner made with simple ingredients like pasta shells, butter, garlic, cream, and fresh herbs. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s rich, savory, and endlessly customizable for busy families or beginner cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz medium pasta shells
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta shells and cook according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes) until al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain shells in a colander; do not rinse.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to turn golden.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Lower the heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is glossy. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until creamy.
- Add drained pasta shells to the skillet. Toss gently to coat every shell, adding more pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Stir in chopped parsley and basil. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or Parmesan as needed.
- Serve hot in bowls, garnished with extra herbs or cheese if desired.
Notes
For gluten-free, use GF pasta shells. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and vegan cheese. Add steamed broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for extra veggies. Reserve pasta water for a creamy sauce. If sauce breaks, whisk in cold pasta water. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1.5 cups pasta)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 13
Keywords: garlic butter pasta, creamy pasta shells, easy pasta dinner, vegetarian pasta, weeknight pasta, comfort food, Italian pasta, quick pasta recipe