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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.

pasta on a plate topped with parsley
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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.

pasta on a plate topped with parsley

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.

creamy pasta in a pan on a spatula

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.

garlic and olive oil in a pan

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.

pasta being poured into a pan

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.

chicken broth being poured into a pan
boiling chicken broth in a pan
pasta cooking in a pan

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.

cream pouring into the pan
butter and parmesan in to the pan with pasta

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.

butter parmesan pasta on a fork

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 veggiesfold in some green veggies to this butter parmesan pasta. We love to add peas or steamed and diced broccoli.
butter parmesan pasta on a plate

Looking for More Easy Pasta Recipes?

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

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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

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

You can use other small pasta shapes such as:
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Here are some additional photos for your Pinterest boards:

butter parmesan pasta on a plate
butter parmesan pasta on a plate
butter parmesan pasta on a plate
butter parmesan pasta on a plate
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