Description
This viral creamy garlic butter ditalini pasta recipe is a quick, comforting dish ready in just 15 minutes. The pasta is cooked directly in chicken broth with garlic and olive oil, then finished with Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and butter for a rich, velvety sauce. It’s an easy, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy lunch.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1¼ cup ditalini pasta (175g, uncooked)
Liquid Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth (plus up to 1 additional cup if needed)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (plus ¼ cup more if desired)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Seasonings and Garnish
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (minced, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon garlic paste. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and just starts to turn golden brown, about 1-2 minutes, to develop a rich flavor base.
- Add the pasta: Stir in 1¼ cup ditalini pasta, coating the pasta well with the garlic-infused oil to ensure an even flavor distribution.
- Cook pasta in broth: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, ensuring it just covers the pasta. Add ¼ teaspoon salt, then stir frequently to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta until it is al dente and most of the broth is absorbed, about 8 minutes. Add up to 1 additional cup broth if necessary to keep pasta cooking evenly.
- Create the creamy sauce: When pasta is al dente and broth mostly absorbed, stir in ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons salted butter. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season and serve: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper according to taste. Garnish with freshly minced parsley. Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest, preventing it from breaking.
Notes
- Using garlic paste allows for quicker cooking and more intense garlic flavor.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan and ensure even cooking.
- If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it.
- This dish is best eaten immediately as the creamy sauce can separate if left to sit.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
