Name: One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta (a.k.a. the Lazy Cook's Fettuccine Alfredo)
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken stock); 1 cup milk (more as needed); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 8 ounces fettuccine or other long noodle; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan; Chopped parsley, for garnishing

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta (a.k.a. the Lazy Cook's Fettuccine Alfredo)

Photo by Mark Weinberg

Test Kitchen-Approved

Author Notes

No need to make a separate sauce for your pasta: In this recipe, from the blog Damn Delicious (yep, that's right), dry pasta is boiled in a mixture of milk and broth. Because the pasta releases its starches as the liquids reduce and concentrate, you end up with a creamy, flavorful coating. Experiment with adding red pepper flakes, tomato paste, or chopped herbs (basil!) when you add the garlic. —Sarah Jampel

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken stock)
1 cup milk (more as needed)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces fettuccine or other long noodle
Salt and pepper, to taste
¹/₄ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Chopped parsley, for garnishing

In This Recipe

Tools

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Directions

In a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in the broth, milk, butter, and dry pasta. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan and add additional milk if the sauce is too thick.
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

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A (former) student of English, a lover of raisins, a user of comma splices. My spirit animal is an eggplant. I'm probably the person who picked all of the cookie dough out of the cookie dough ice cream. For that, I'm sorry.

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32 Reviews

Debbi October 27, 2019

I’ve been looking for an Alfredo sauce recipe for my daughter, a novice cook, and this is perfect. Not only is it very simple to make and no fail, it only uses ingredients we always have on hand and is completed in one pan! Genius!

Laura A. October 20, 2019

This was a really great recipe! I served leftover chicken tenders with it and also added a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water. Thanks for posting it!

Nancy M. May 30, 2019

I just made this for dinner. I love it!

Amanda January 18, 2019

Easy and delicious. Turned out exactly as described. Would be nice with shrimp.

Emma July 29, 2018

I doubled the noodles and liquids--we like leftovers--and there was so much liquid I worried! But it worked. I may reduce it a quarter cup next time. Only change was to break the fettucine in half. Because the liquid is not boiling it is harder to submerge the long strands.

LULULAND July 29, 2018

I wouldn't reduce the liquid but raise the heat a little or cook it longer.

babyboibelcher July 22, 2018

Easy, quick, and delicious crowd pleaser. Added 4 slices of thick cut bacon for some extra meaty, fatty goodness. Two thumbs up.

LULULAND February 18, 2018

Love this recipe, thanks so much. Very unique! My hubbie cracked two large crabs, and when the pasta was done, I added the crab and asiago cheese. This way the crab heated up a little, and it blended well! A winner!!!

ghainskom February 13, 2018

Weeknight life saver. Will add bacon next time.

FrugalCat September 18, 2017

I hate twirling pasta. Would this work with rotini or penne? I only ask because it specifies long pasta in the ingredients list.

Starmade September 25, 2017

works with anything

Yvette August 29, 2017

Made this tonight and it turned out perfectly - it was quick, easy and super tasty.

Jennifer S. August 19, 2017

I've made this with added shrimp, tuna, and chicken. (Not at the same time! 😃)

Megan F. July 18, 2017

This was very easy and turned out perfectly! I doubled the noodles and liquid and it was fantastic. I also added green onions and bacon for sort of a carbonara-esque touch. I was so pleased with the texture of the pasta, which I have never made this way. Leftovers tasted even better the next day, as most pasta dishes do in my opinion. All in all a great recipe that can be customized easily.

Elle T. June 7, 2017

Agree that this isn't four servings, unless as a side. 8 ounces of pasta = 226 grams. A serving of pasta is 85 grams, therefore this is a little more than 2.5 servings (or, in terms of portion sizes most people actually eat for pasta as a main course, it is really about 2 servings!) :-)
But either way it's very yummy. Great technique!

Outi July 25, 2018

My serving of pasta is 2 oz.

Steve H. January 28, 2017

Made this tonight for a quick addition to a rottiserie chicken. So good and easy.

Bill G. January 8, 2017

Definitely easy and lazy but very very delicious. Suggestion: If using regular chicken broth with regular butter and parmesan, these ingredients have enough salt where no additional salt is needed.

schmoopster January 3, 2017

So good and so easy. Added roast chicken and broccoli for more protein and veg. Perfect.

D. M. December 11, 2016

Covered or uncovered ???

Author Comment

Sarah J. December 11, 2016

Uncovered!

maris O. December 2, 2016

This is a definite winner. Tasty, fast to cook, and super easy cleanup. This is going into my regular recipe rotation!

Julia November 30, 2016

Wonderful! To add to the discussion of serving sizes, I would say it makes about 3. I sauteed a finely diced shallot before adding the garlic, and tossed in some chopped kale half way through the cook time. I added a bit more milk and covered the pot on and off to cook the pasta before the sauce thickened too much.

Freddurf October 5, 2016

Wow! What a surprise hit. This was so easy and had more flavor than I expected. Although, I have to question the amount of servings listed. I doubled the recipe And it served 4. Great recipe. Thank you!

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One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta (a.k.a. the Lazy Cook's Fettuccine Alfredo)