My go-to recipe – this easy Parmesan Pasta is only 5 ingredients and dinner is on the table in under an hour. This is an easy pasta recipe that the kids and adults love!
If you really love pasta recipes, make sure you also check out my Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce, my One Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas, or this Taco Pasta Toss.
I sometimes feel like a broken recipe. Because schedules are so busy, I have another no-brainer recipe. Pretty soon here, we might just have to re-name my blog – The Easiest Recipes Ever Blog.
But really, with the craziness of my life lately, I wouldn’t mind that new blog title. Because most nights, that is exactly what is happening around here. Easy. Super easy.
That is actually why I am showing you this recipe. This is one of our go-to meals. I’m sure you all have one or two of those recipes in your back pocket. The ones that you can always make at a moments notice. The ones that you always have the ingredients on hand for. I love this one because there are only 5 ingredients, and you can seriously have this on the table in under 30 minutes. Even less if you live at sea level and can get your water boiling quickly!
Ingredients
This recipe falls into the category of recipes I can make from pantry staples. Because there are only 5 ingredients and I pretty much always have all of them on hand.
- Dry Spaghetti – I always pick up extra when it’s on sale so that I always have a stockpile in the basement.
- Half and Half – This is the liquid that will bring it all together and create a silky sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese – This is a time for the real stuff. That you grate yourself. If you use pre-grated cheese, you’ll probably end up with clumps of cheese that don’t melt into the sauce quite right.
- Salt and Pepper – So I’m counting this as one of the ingredients, but I think these are just a given, right?
- Fresh Minced Parsley – You could really make this into a 4 ingredient dinner because the parsley can totally be skipped. But I love the freshness it brings.
How to Make Parmesan Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it well, then add in your pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining the pasta, reserve some of the cooking water.
- Add the pasta back to the pot, then add the half and half and the parmesan cheese. Start tossing everything together until it forms a silky smooth sauce over the pasta.
- If it is too dry, add some of the reserved water and continue to toss until it is all combined and smooth.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, then top with more parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get this question all the time, so I’m guessing that in countries outside of the US (or maybe even other US states) they don’t have anything called half and half. But basically, what it is is half milk, half cream. I’ve read some articles stating that it’s not a 50/50 ratio, but other articles that says that it is.
All I know is that if you don’t have half and half, you can totally just sub in half milk and half cream. And you can even make this recipe a little more indulgent by using a higher ratio of cream.
The key to the success of this recipe is the tossing of the hot pasta with the half and half and the parmesan. When you’ve got everything together, use a pair of tongs and toss, toss, toss the pasta. At first, it won’t seem like much is happening, but after a minute or two, a glossy, delicious sauce is formed. It really is super easy, and you’ll find yourself wanting to coat your pasta like this all of the time. To make it a little bit richer, you can always add in a pat or two of butter, too. Not necessary, but delicious!
This recipe is super, super basic. And because of this, you first want to make sure you are seasoning correctly. Salt and pepper in this recipe can totally make it or break it.
If you want a little more, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. Garlic would also be a great addition, (although I do already have a garlic spaghetti!). Or switch out the parsley for any different fresh or dried herbs.
More Pasta Recipes
Baked Spaghetti
One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
Shrimp Alfredo
Garlic Spaghetti
Penne Pasta Bake
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Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz dry spaghetti
- 1 cup half and half*
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh minced parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water generously.
- Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
- When the pasta is done, reserve a mug full of the pasta water. Drain the pasta then return to the pot.
- Add the half and half to the pasta along with the Parmesan. Start stirring the pasta until it a smooth sauce starts to form. This might take several minutes – I like to use a set of tongs to toss it all together. If needed, use some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve topped with fresh parsley, and more Parmesan, if desired.
Barbara Ward says
I tried this and the taste was good, but not so hot on eye appeal. The cheese didn’t melt, it clumped up and got rubbery. I will give this another try!
Deborah says
@Barbara Ward, did you use freshly grated parmesan? I find that is the key to getting the cheese to melt into a sauce. If you use pre-grated or the canned kind, it tends to clump together and not melt.
Cookin' Canuck says
Easy, no-brainer recipes are just what the cook ordered…especially on busy nights. This looks like pure comfort food to me.
CulinarilyCourtney says
I love no-brainer recipes because often by the time I finally get around to making dinner after a busy day I tend to have not much of a brain left, haha! Cheesy pasta sounds super delicious and comforting for a night like that!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
I’m loving this easy pasta dish – I think the addition of garlicky toasted breadcrumbs would put it over the top!
Chels R. says
This reminds me of the pasta dish I always order at The Spaghetti Factory, the Mizithra Cheese Pasta- Oh my word, so good! I’m going to be making this soon too! Oh It looks so so good!
Katrina says
Love how easy this is! Yum!
Kalyn says
Yaay for Easton being such a good eater. I love the idea of a blog all about the easiest recipes ever!
Asiya says
This is great! Life with 2 kids is hectic so need recipes like this! My go to recipe is usually daal (lentils). Everyone loves it, quick to make and healthy too!
Bev Weidner says
LOVE this meal and how easy it is! I’ll take 5 billion servings.
Kristy (Sweet Treats & More) says
I live for super easy meals!! Looks great!
TABITHA says
This looks soo good. Thank you.
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray (soon to be Rachel Cooks) says
This is something I would totally eat on a night my husband was away. Easy, perfect comfort food.
Cassie says
I have no issues with the easiest recipes ever. I live on meals like this, especially when my husband works in the evenings. LOVE this, Deborah!
Rebekah says
Yum – sounds delicious! I love finding recipes that use ingredients that I almost ALWAYS have in my kitchen. Thank you 🙂
Julie @ Table for Two says
I love super easy dishes such as this. When I get home from work, I’m usually exhausted and not really wanting to throw together an elborate meal — this would be perfect to throw together because it’s flavorful and delicious!
Becki's Whole Life says
Can I just tell you how much my kids (and husband) would love this dish as well? They don’t care all that much about red sauce, but if I made this for them they would flip! Plus I love (and need) super simple recipes like this:-).