That Viral Creamy Garlic Butter Ditalini Pasta Recipe
A creamy and comforting garlic butter ditalini pasta made with simple ingredients like garlic, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. This easy skillet dish cooks the pasta directly in flavorful broth for a rich, velvety sauce that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- 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 (+ up to 1 additional cup if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
For the Sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (+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 and 1 tablespoon of garlic paste in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts to brown, releasing its rich aroma.
- Add Pasta: Add 1¼ cup of ditalini pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat all the pieces evenly with the garlic-infused olive oil.
- Add Broth and Salt: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, or just enough to cover the pasta, then sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and help the pasta cook evenly in the flavorful liquid.
- Cook Pasta: Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the broth is absorbed but the pasta is still al dente, approximately 8 minutes.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in ½ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons of salted butter. Mix continually until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Season and Garnish: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Sprinkle minced fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately to prevent the creamy sauce from breaking and to experience the best texture.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic paste or finely minced fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- If the pasta absorbs broth too quickly and is not fully cooked, add additional chicken broth, up to 1 cup.
- For a richer sauce, add an extra ¼ cup of heavy cream.
- Serve immediately as the sauce can separate if left to sit too long.
- Can be adapted to vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright herbaceous note but can be omitted if unavailable.
Keywords: creamy garlic pasta, ditalini pasta recipe, garlic butter pasta, easy creamy pasta, one-pan pasta, quick pasta recipe
