Description
This One-Pot Creamy Pasta is a quick, comforting, and delicious meal that combines tender pasta cooked directly in vegetable broth with a rich creamy sauce made from heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Enhanced with fresh spinach and garlic, it’s a perfectly balanced dish that comes together in just 25 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine pasta and broth: In a large pot, add the pasta and pour in the vegetable broth, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged. This will be the cooking base for your pasta and infuse flavor.
- Cook pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
- Add cream and garlic: Stir in the heavy cream and minced garlic into the pot, mixing well to incorporate the flavors throughout the dish. Keep stirring frequently to prevent the cream from scorching.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the pot, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and forms a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Add spinach: Toss in the fresh spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and tender, enhancing the dish with a fresh, green element.
- Season: Season your creamy pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference, adjusting the seasoning as necessary.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm as a satisfying main dish for four servings. Enjoy it immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- This recipe uses vegetable broth for a subtle, savory base, but chicken broth can be substituted if preferred.
- For a lighter version, you can replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Adding fresh herbs such as basil or parsley before serving can enhance the flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- Be sure to stir frequently when adding cream and cheese to avoid curdling or sticking to the pot.
