Creamy Italian Pasta

Indulge in the rich, velvety flavors of Creamy Italian Pasta, a comforting dish that takes your taste buds straight to the heart of Italy. Featuring tender penne pasta coated in a luscious homemade Alfredo-style sauce made with butter, garlic, whole milk, and heavy cream, this recipe is elevated with the nutty, savory taste of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfectly seasoned with a hint of salt, black pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, it’s a restaurant-quality meal you can make in just 30 minutes. Customize your dish by adding succulent shrimp, tender chicken, or vibrant vegetables for extra flair and nutrition. Whether you’re preparing an effortless weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a dinner party, this creamy pasta recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g Penne pasta
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 200 g Optional: Cooked chicken, shrimp, or vegetables

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.

Step 3

Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but not browned.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and whisk continuously, cooking for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.

Step 5

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add the heavy cream and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 6

Lower the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

If adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, fold them into the sauce at this stage to heat through.

Step 8

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.

Step 9

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. For an extra touch, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1559.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3947.7

Total Fat 208.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 113.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 712.6mg	0%
Sodium 4828.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 331.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.7g	0%
Total Sugars 23.7g
Protein 179.1g	0%

Vitamin D 224.7IU	0%
Calcium 2008.6mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 2205.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.9%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 33.9%