Creamy Milk Pasta One-Pot (Printer View)

One-pot pasta gently cooked in milk creates a rich and creamy dish with Parmesan and garlic notes.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Dairy

02 - 4 cups whole milk
03 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
04 - 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Aromatics & Seasoning

05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

→ Garnish

09 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
10 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Method:

01 - Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet or wide saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
02 - Pour in the whole milk and bring to a gentle simmer without boiling.
03 - Add the pasta, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using. Stir thoroughly to prevent sticking.
04 - Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 12 to 15 minutes until pasta is al dente and the milk has thickened into a creamy sauce. Add a splash more milk if the sauce thickens too rapidly.
05 - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce becomes silky. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in one pot with barely any cleanup, which means more time to actually enjoy your meal.
  • The pasta absorbs the milk as it cooks, creating a naturally luxurious sauce without cream or flour.
  • It tastes like a restaurant dish but feels approachable enough to make on a tired weeknight.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the stove while the milk heats—I learned this by coming back to a slightly scorched bottom that made me frantically add more milk and start over.
  • If your sauce seems too thin at the end, give it a few more minutes of gentle cooking; the pasta keeps releasing starch and will thicken it naturally.
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh and store it in an airtight container beforehand so you're not scrambling at the last second.
03 -
  • Invest in a wooden spoon you love and use it to stir constantly—it prevents sticking better than anything else and somehow makes the whole process feel more intentional.
  • For extra richness on nights when you want to feel indulged, stir in a spoonful of mascarpone or cream cheese right before serving, which melts into a cloud of luxury.
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