Description
This Viral Creamy Garlic Butter Ditalini Pasta is a quick and comforting dish featuring tender ditalini pasta simmered in savory chicken broth, enriched with garlic, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and butter to create a luscious, creamy sauce. Finished with fresh parsley and black pepper, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors in under 15 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
- 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
- Heat the Garlic: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of garlic paste. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts to brown slightly, about 1-2 minutes, to infuse the oil with garlic flavor.
- Add the Pasta: Stir in 1¼ cup of uncooked ditalini pasta, coating it well with the garlic and oil mixture to prepare it for cooking.
- Cook the Pasta in Broth: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, or just enough to cover the pasta. Add ¼ teaspoon salt, and stir frequently to prevent sticking. Simmer the pasta gently until most of the broth is absorbed and the pasta is cooked al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Add up to 1 additional cup of broth if the pasta needs more liquid to cook evenly.
- Finish the Sauce: Once the pasta is tender and the broth mostly absorbed, stir in ½ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons salted butter. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely, creating a creamy, rich sauce coating the pasta.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as desired. Garnish with minced fresh parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest texture.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic paste for the best flavor, or substitute with finely minced garlic if needed.
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a bit more chicken broth or cream to loosen it before serving.
- Parmesan cheese should be finely grated to melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Serve immediately, as the creamy sauce can break or separate if left to sit for too long.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
