10+ Creamy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Creamy pasta recipes are such a cozy way to end the day. They’re rich, satisfying, and just make dinner feel a little more special, whether you’re eating alone or sharing with family.

You can whip up a fantastic creamy pasta dish with just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps. These recipes fit right into busy weeknights or those evenings when you want something a bit more indulgent.

Ingredients

• Pasta (any shape)
• Heavy cream or milk
• Butter
• Garlic
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
6. Toss cooked pasta with the sauce and season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve warm.

1) Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This creamy garlic parmesan pasta is one of those dishes you’ll want to make again and again. You cook the pasta in a buttery, garlicky sauce with cream and parmesan.

The sauce comes together by gently cooking garlic in butter, then mixing in cream and cheese. It wraps around the pasta, so every bite is creamy and cheesy.

You can have this on the table in about 20 minutes. Pair it with a salad or some steamed veggies if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta (bow tie or whatever you like)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to the package. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until you can smell it—about 1 minute.
3. Pour in cream and let it simmer.
4. Stir in parmesan until the sauce is smooth.
5. Toss in the pasta and coat well.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Check out the full creamy garlic parmesan pasta recipe for more details.

2) One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This one-pot Cajun chicken pasta is a lifesaver on busy nights. You throw everything in one pot—less mess, more flavor.

The chicken gets tossed with Cajun spices for a kick. Pasta simmers right in the sauce with the chicken, soaking up all those flavors.

Feel free to add veggies or sausage if you want. It’s a flexible recipe that’s ready in about half an hour.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, cubed
• 8 ounces pasta (penne or bow-tie work great)
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium.
2. Add chicken, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned.
3. Toss in onion and cook until soft.
4. Pour in broth and cream, then add pasta.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the pasta’s done—about 15 minutes.
6. Stir in cheese if you want it extra creamy.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

3) 15 Minute Creamy Garlic Pasta

Here’s a creamy garlic pasta you can make in 15 minutes flat. While the pasta cooks, you whip up a quick sauce—perfect for those nights when you just want to eat and relax.

The garlic flavor is there but not overpowering, and the creamy texture comes from a bit of broth and cream or milk. Salt and pepper bring it all together.

This is a go-to for hectic days when you still crave something warm and comforting. The full recipe and extra tips are over at Salt & Lavender.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup heavy cream or milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil chicken broth in a large pan.
2. Add pasta and cook until al dente.
3. In another pan, melt butter and sauté garlic.
4. Stir in cream, salt, and pepper.
5. Drain pasta if needed, then toss with the sauce.
6. Top with Parmesan if you like.

4) Creamy Zucchini and Herb Pasta

This creamy zucchini and herb pasta is fresh and super easy. You cook zucchini until it’s soft, then blend it up with garlic, olive oil, and herbs for a velvety sauce.

Parmesan and a splash of cream or milk make it extra smooth. Toss in some fresh basil or parsley for a bright finish.

Serve over your favorite pasta and maybe throw on a little more cheese. It’s a simple way to use up zucchini and get a lovely meal.

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchini
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup cream or milk
• 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley
• Salt and pepper
• 8 oz pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Grate zucchini and sauté with garlic in olive oil until soft.
2. Blend the zucchini with cream, Parmesan, and herbs until smooth.
3. Cook pasta as you like it.
4. Toss pasta with the sauce, season, and serve with extra Parmesan.

5) Jennifer Garner’s Easy 5-Ingredient Creamy Pasta

Jennifer Garner’s five-ingredient pasta is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it yet. It’s quick, creamy, and the brown butter with sage gives it a cozy flavor.

Cook up some linguine, then make a buttery sauce with fresh sage. Lemon juice adds a pop of brightness, and Parmesan brings it all together.

This one skips the heavy cream, so it’s a bit lighter but still feels rich. It’s ready in about 15 minutes—great for when you’re short on time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound linguine
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 12 fresh sage leaves
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook linguine in salted water until al dente.
2. While that’s going, melt butter in a pan. Add sage and cook until the butter browns.
3. Drain pasta, toss with the brown butter and sage.
4. Stir in lemon juice and Parmesan. Serve right away.

Read more about Jennifer Garner’s 5-Ingredient Pasta.

6) Creamy Butter and Garlic Penne

This creamy butter and garlic penne is pure comfort food. Start by melting butter and gently cooking garlic until it smells amazing.

Add a bit of flour to make a light roux, which thickens things up. Slowly whisk in milk and broth, letting it cook until creamy.

Toss in the pasta, and you’re done—about 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s a quick fix for those “what’s for dinner?” moments.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces penne
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 3 cups chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook penne according to the package, then drain.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium. Add garlic and cook for about a minute.
3. Stir in flour and cook another minute, stirring.
4. Slowly whisk in milk and broth. Let it thicken for 5-7 minutes.
5. Toss pasta with the sauce and serve.

Get more details from the Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta recipe.

7) Lemon-Infused Creamy Chicken Pasta

Lemon-infused creamy chicken pasta is bright and comforting at the same time. The lemon cuts through the richness, keeping it from feeling too heavy.

Cook up some chicken pieces, then toss them in a sauce made from heavy cream, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s quick, simple, and full of flavor.

Serve with your favorite pasta and a little parsley on top. It’s one of those dishes that feels a bit fancy but comes together easily.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 8 ounces pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta and drain.
2. Season chicken, then heat olive oil in a pan over medium. Cook chicken until golden and done, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Take the chicken out and sauté garlic for a minute.
4. Add cream, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer for a few minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan, then add chicken back to the pan.
6. Mix with pasta, top with parsley, and serve.

You can check out the full recipe here.

8) Vegan Creamy Cashew Pasta

You don’t need dairy to whip up a creamy pasta sauce—cashews do the trick just fine. If you soak them, they get soft enough to blend into a surprisingly rich, smooth sauce.

Toss this sauce with your favorite pasta and whatever veggies you like. Garlic, lemon, or sun-dried tomatoes add a punch of flavor, and honestly, you can get this done in about half an hour.

If you’re after a plant-based meal that feels a little special, give this a shot. You can eat it warm or even cold, which is great for leftovers or meal prep.

Need more ideas? Here’s a cashew pasta sauce that’s super simple, or check out this cashew alfredo sauce if you want to mix things up.

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 4 hours or overnight)
• 1 cup water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• Salt to taste
• 8 ounces pasta
• Optional: sun-dried tomatoes or herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak cashews in water for 4 hours or overnight.
2. Cook pasta and drain it.
3. Blend cashews with water, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and salt until smooth.
4. Warm the sauce in a pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
5. Toss sauce with cooked pasta, adding sun-dried tomatoes or herbs if you want.
6. Serve it hot or chilled.

9) Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta

Creamy mushroom and spinach pasta is one of those dishes you can pull together fast. The sauce is rich, with cream and Parmesan, and it works with just about any pasta shape.

Start by sautéing mushrooms and garlic to build flavor. Toss in fresh spinach and let it wilt down.

Cream and cheese bring everything together, coating the pasta in a silky sauce. From start to finish, you’ll need about 25 minutes—perfect if you’re hungry and don’t want to wait.

Want more details? There’s a solid creamy mushroom and spinach pasta recipe you can follow.

Ingredients

• 200 grams dry pasta
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 cup cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups fresh spinach
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta; drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Toss in spinach and let it wilt.
6. Pour in heavy cream and let it simmer for 3 minutes.
7. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts.
8. Toss pasta with the sauce until coated.
9. Season with salt and pepper, then dig in.

10) Creamy Alfredo with Parmesan and Butter

Alfredo sauce doesn’t get much easier than this. Butter, Parmesan, and a splash of pasta water make a sauce that’s creamy and full of flavor.

Just melt the butter, stir in Parmesan, and use pasta water to get the right consistency. That’s honestly all it takes.

Fettuccine is the classic choice, but use whatever pasta you have on hand. This dish feels cozy and rich, but it’s not heavy or fussy.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• Salt, to taste
• 12 oz pasta (fettuccine works well)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta just like the package says. Don’t forget to save about 1/2 cup of that pasta water before you drain it.

2. Melt some butter in a pan over medium heat.

3. Toss in the grated Parmesan cheese and give it a good stir.

4. Pour in the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring as you go. You want the sauce to turn silky smooth.

5. Add the cooked pasta right into the sauce and toss it around until it’s all coated.

6. Sprinkle in some salt if you think it needs it, then serve right away.

You really don’t need much for this one—just a few ingredients and you’re set. If you want more details or maybe a few tips, check out The Burnt Butter Table.