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One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta Recipe for Easy Delicious Dinners - Featured Image

One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta Recipe for Easy Delicious Dinners

Learn how to make delicious One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients—simple, fresh, and good quality. I always reach for real butter and freshly grated Parmesan because they make such a difference in flavor and texture. When it comes to the pasta, I prefer something like fettuccine or linguine for the way it holds the sauce, but feel free to swap in your favorite shape. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this dish to life:

  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

If you want to add protein, cooked chicken or shrimp pairs beautifully, and for veggies, consider tossing in spinach or peas near the end of cooking. For a dairy-free alternative, plant-based butter and nutritional yeast can be used, though the flavor will be different but still tasty.

Instructions

  1. In a large, deep skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic—stir constantly.
  2. Add the dry pasta to the pan, then pour in the broth. The liquid should just about cover the pasta. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  3. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the liquid has mostly absorbed and the pasta is tender—this usually takes about 10-12 minutes. If the broth evaporates too quickly, add a splash of water to keep the pasta moist.
  4. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. The sauce should be silky and cling to each strand.
  5. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. For added texture, I love sprinkling a little extra Parmesan on top at the table.

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta, recipe, cooking, food