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Creamy one-pan butter parmesan pasta in large skillet with melted cheese and fresh parsley garnish

One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta

A creamy, buttery pasta dish made entirely in one pan with simple ingredients. Rich Parmesan sauce coats tender ditalini for an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups dry ditalini pasta
  • 2.5 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth may need up to 3 cups, start with 2.5 cups
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter can use up to 4 tablespoons
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • fresh parsley optional, for garnish
  • red pepper flakes optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or large pan
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant and golden but not browned.
  2. Add the dry ditalini pasta to the skillet and stir with the garlic, toasting the pasta lightly for about 1 minute. You'll hear a gentle sizzling sound.
  3. Pour in 2.5 cups of chicken broth to just cover the pasta, adding more if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 9 to 10 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove the lid and check the pasta. It should be tender but still have a slight bite, with just a little liquid remaining. If it looks dry, add a splash more broth.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, letting it blend into the pasta for about 1 minute while keeping the skillet over low heat.
  6. Remove from heat completely and stir in butter and Parmesan cheese until fully melted and combined, creating a smooth, velvety sauce.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Let sit for 1 minute to allow sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest sauce. Pre-grated cheese can be grainy. Stir frequently while cooking to prevent pasta from sticking. The pasta cooks directly in the broth, which infuses extra flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat for 3-4 minutes or in microwave at 50% power, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess.