Description
Creamy Ditalini Pasta is a quick and comforting dish featuring tender ditalini pasta tossed in a rich, silky sauce made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this family-friendly recipe delivers cozy, creamy goodness with minimal effort and versatile ingredients.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta (small tubular pasta)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the ditalini pasta. Cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later, then set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Add cheese and seasoning: Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to ensure it melts smoothly into the cream. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked ditalini pasta to the sauce and toss to coat every piece thoroughly. If the sauce feels too thick, loosen it by stirring in the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Final touches: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve the pasta warm for maximum comfort and flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a smoother, creamier sauce.
- Do not overcook pasta to maintain a firm texture that holds the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Cook garlic on medium heat to avoid a bitter taste from burnt garlic.
- Serve immediately as cream sauces thicken and lose optimal texture when cooled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg