This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This viral one-pan Butter Parmesan Pasta comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s creamy and decadent with a simple butter sauce and loads of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Finish it off with your favorite protein, or enjoy it as is. It’s adored by kids and adults alike.
If you adore easy pasta dishes as much as I do, be sure to check out my Cajun Chicken Pasta, Oven Baked Chicken Linguini, Sausage Alfredo Ravioli Lasagna, or my Lemon Parmesan One-Pan Pasta.
Butter Parmesan Pasta
Meet your family’s new favorite easy pasta to throw together on lazy weeknights. Butter parmesan pasta has a chicken broth base with just enough cream to add decadence without being overly indulgent.
For extra protein, you can swap the pasta for chickpea protein pasta and swap the chicken broth for bone broth.
Add a touch of spices or your favorite vegetables to personalize it and make it your own. Sometimes, we’ll add in peas or steamed and diced broccoli.
The best part is that it’s all made in one pan, and there is no need to get an extra pot out to boil the pasta since it cooks in the pan sauce.
Be sure to check out my other popular One-Pan pasta recipes like my Lemon Parmesan One-Pan Pasta, One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo, One-Pan Sun-dried Tomato Pasta, or my One-Pan Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake.
Key Ingredients
Pasta – I find that smaller pastas work best like Ditalini or small elbows, small shells, pastina, acini de pepe, or orzo.
Chicken Broth – a low sodium chicken broth is best so you can control the salt. For a stronger umami flavor you can use chicken stock.
Garlic – freshly grated garlic is best. I like to use this garlic press for easy prep.
Butter – just a few tablespoons are folded in at the end of the cook time for salty, decadent comfort in each bite.
Cream – a little heavy cream is drizzled in to make this butter parmesan garlic nice and creamy without being too indulgent.
Parmesan – freshly grated or a good quality grated version is best for maximum flavor.
Seasonings – salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make Butter Parmesan Pasta
Saute some garlic
In a large skillet over medium low, add in two tablespoons olive oil. Add in the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add in pasta
Sprinkle in the pasta, enough to cover the bottom of the pan (about 1 1/2 cups). Stir it around with the garlic to evenly combine.
Cook it in the chicken broth
Pour in the chicken broth and 1/2 tsp each of pepper and salt, then bring to a boil. Once it begins boiling, cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to simmer. Allow it to cook covered for about 9-10 minutes.
Remove the lid and stir the pasta, sampling for doneness. There will be some chicken broth on the bottom of the pan but it will get absorbed as the pasta cools.
Add cream, butter, and parm
Drizzle in the 1/3 cup of heavy cream and incorporate it with the pasta (still over a simmering stove). Stir for about 1 minute.
Remove from the heat and add in 3-4 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Stir until the butter and cheese melt.
Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. Add in red pepper flakes for a kick of heat if desired.
Can I Use Other Types of Pasta?
Yes, you can use a variety of short or small pastas and it doesn’t need to be the Ditalini that I used. I have not yet tested this recipe on any larger shapes or long pasta.
Variations and Modifications
You’ll love how simple and delicious this easy one-pan pasta recipe is. The comforting simplicity is perfect as-is, but here are some ideas to change it up:
- Make it high protein – use bone broth instead of chicken broth and protein pasta instead of standard pasta.
- Cheese it up – to make this a bit more like a mac and cheese, add in some shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese.
- Add your favorite meat – the butter and parmesan flavor pairs well with just about any protein. Top this pasta with my perfect juicy chicken breasts, shrimp, salmon, or steak.
- Load it up with veggies—fold in some green veggies to this butter parmesan pasta. We love to add peas or steamed and diced broccoli.
Looking for More Easy Pasta Recipes?
- Sausage Alfredo Ravioli Lasagna
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Alfredo (one-pan)
- Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- TikTok Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Creamy Sausage Alfredo Bake
- Chicken Scampi Stuffed Pasta Shells
I hope you enjoyed this one-pan butter parmesan pasta recipe. Please comment below with any questions or feedback!
If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!
One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dry ditalini pasta
- 2 1/2 -3 cups chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 3-4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp each: salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- optional toppings: fresh parsley and red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium low, add in two tablespoons olive oil and garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in the pasta, enough to cover the bottom of the pan (about 1 1/2 cups). Stir it around with the garlic to evenly combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth (enough to cover the pasta) and 1/2 tsp each of pepper and salt, then bring to a boil. Once it begins boiling, cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook covered for about 9-10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir the pasta, sampling for doneness. There will be some chicken broth on the bottom of the pan but it will get absorbed as the pasta cools.
- Drizzle in the 1/3 cup of heavy cream and incorporate it with the pasta (still over a simmering stove). Stir for about 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and add in 3-4 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Stir until the butter and cheese melt.
- Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. Add in red pepper flakes for a kick of heat if desired.
Notes
Here are some additional photos for your Pinterest boards:
