Description
This creamy garlic butter ditalini pasta is a quick and comforting dish featuring tender ditalini pasta cooked in flavorful chicken broth with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a luscious butter-cream sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes, it makes for a perfect weeknight dinner with a rich, creamy texture and bright herbaceous notes from fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1¼ cup ditalini pasta (175g, uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth (plus up to 1 additional cup if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
Finishing Ingredients
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (plus ¼ cup more if desired)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (minced, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter Base: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon garlic paste in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the garlic becomes fragrant and begins to brown, infusing the oil with rich flavor.
- Add Pasta: Stir in 1¼ cup ditalini pasta, coating the pasta evenly with the garlic-infused oil to help build flavor in the pasta.
- Cook Pasta in Broth: Pour 2 cups chicken broth (or just enough to cover the pasta) into the skillet along with ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and let the pasta simmer, absorbing most of the broth.
- Finish Creamy Sauce: When the pasta is al dente and most broth has absorbed (about 8 minutes), stir in ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons salted butter. Mix until the cheese melts fully, creating a rich, creamy sauce.
- Season and Garnish: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with minced fresh parsley and serve immediately to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest.
Notes
- Use chicken broth for a savory depth, but vegetable broth works as a substitute for a lighter option.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in additional broth or cream to loosen it.
- Serve immediately to prevent the cream sauce from breaking or separating.
- Fresh garlic paste can be replaced with minced fresh garlic if unavailable, but reduce cook time to avoid burning.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken broth and use vegetable broth instead.
