That Viral Creamy Garlic Butter Ditalini Pasta Recipe
This Viral Creamy Garlic Butter Ditalini Pasta is a quick and luscious dish that combines tender ditalini pasta with a rich garlic butter sauce, enhanced by Parmesan cheese and a touch of heavy cream. Perfect for a comforting meal ready in just 15 minutes, this skillet recipe delivers creamy, flavorful pasta with a fresh parsley finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1¼ cup ditalini pasta (175g, uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth (plus up to 1 additional cup if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
For the Creamy Sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (plus ¼ cup more if desired)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (minced, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon garlic paste and cook until fragrant and starting to brown, releasing its aroma and flavor.
- Coat Pasta: Add 1¼ cup of uncooked ditalini pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat the pasta pieces evenly with the garlic-infused oil.
- Cook Pasta in Broth: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, or just enough to cover the pasta, and add ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Let it cook until most of the broth is absorbed and pasta reaches al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Add more broth if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Once pasta is tender but still firm, stir in ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons salted butter. Mix vigorously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. For extra creaminess, add an additional ¼ cup heavy cream if desired.
- Season and Garnish: Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper according to taste. Sprinkle minced fresh parsley on top as garnish. Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy sauce at its best before it breaks.
Notes
- Use garlic paste for convenience, but minced fresh garlic can be substituted.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of extra chicken broth or cream to loosen it.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit butter or use a plant-based alternative.
- Serve immediately as the sauce can separate if left to sit for too long.
- You can add cooked chicken or vegetables for extra protein and nutrition.
Keywords: creamy garlic pasta, ditalini pasta recipe, quick pasta recipe, garlic butter pasta, one-pan pasta, Italian pasta dish