Penne in Parmesan Cream Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne in Parmesan Cream Sauce, a perfect blend of simplicity and decadence that will elevate your weeknight dinners. This easy-to-make dish features tender penne pasta tossed in a velvety sauce made from heavy cream, melted Parmesan cheese, and a hint of garlic sautéed in rich, unsalted butter. The sauce is seasoned to perfection, with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adding a burst of freshness to every bite. Ready in just 30 minutes, this creamy pasta recipe is ideal for busy nights yet elegant enough for entertaining. Serve it topped with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper, and watch it become a go-to favorite for pasta lovers. Whether you're craving something cheesy, creamy, or both, this quick and satisfying recipe will hit all the right notes.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 4 liters water
• 2 tablespoons salt (for pasta water)

Directions

Step 1

Bring 4 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the boiling water.

Step 2

Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, finely mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 5

Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the cream from scorching.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Season the sauce with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 8

If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 9

Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the Parmesan cream sauce.

Step 10

Chop the fresh parsley finely and sprinkle it over the pasta as a garnish.

Step 11

Serve immediately while warm. Optionally, top with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5157.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3837.1

Total Fat 239.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 141.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 693mg	0%
Sodium 16725.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 297.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.2g	0%
Total Sugars 0.1g
Protein 99.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1605.6mg	0%
Iron 15.0mg	0%
Potassium 927.3mg	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: 57.5%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 31.8%