This creamy penne pasta dish is easy to make with a rich garlic Parmesan cheese sauce and Italian seasoning. It’s a cozy weeknight meal ready in 20 minutes!

Creamy penne pasta on a white plate.

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20-Minute Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta

This creamy penne pasta is what I make on the nights when I’ve got nothing planned and a kitchen full of hungry kids. The sauce comes together in the skillet while the pasta boils, so it’s a rich, creamy comfort meal that’s on the table before anyone asks how much longer. Serve it on its own with garlic bread or as a side dish for something like chicken parmesan!

Don’t let the creamy sauce fool you, it’s just a quick roux with garlic, cream, and Parmesan. It’s thicker than my white sauce pasta but not as rich as my Alfredo sauce with cream cheese.

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredients Notes

Penne pasta ingredients on the counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Penne pasta: Cooked to al dente in boiling salted water then tossed in the sauce.
  • Butter and flour: The base of the sauce helps to thicken it. I use unsalted butter since we’re adding salt and Parmesan cheese has a salty flavor.
  • Chicken broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth.
  • Italian seasoning: Adds well-balanced and classic Italian flavor to the pasta.
  • Heavy cream. You can replace heavy whipping cream with whole milk, but it will change the consistency slightly.
  • Parmesan cheese: For best melt and taste, freshly grate your own if you can!

How to Make Creamy Penne Pasta

Whisk the melted butter and flour into a roux. Stir in the garlic, then add the chicken broth a splash at a time, whisking after each addition so it stays smooth. Pour in the cream slowly, whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Showing a creamy garlic sauce thickened and coated on the back of a wooden spoon.
Adding cheese and seasonings into creamy sauce for penne pasta.

Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and then remove it from the heat.

Adding cooked penne pasta into a creamy garlic white sauce.
Penne stirred into pasta sauce.

Drain the pasta and toss it in the sauce. Enjoy!

Penne pasta in a large white skillet.

Tips and Variations

  • Reserve some of the pasta water before you drain the pasta. Use it if you need to thin out the sauce. Adding more chicken broth works too.
  • Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for heat.
  • Finish the dish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of lemon zest to brighten it up!
  • Toss in some veggies like cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms or broccoli.
  • Add protein to make it a meal. Stir in grilled chicken for a creamy chicken pasta spin, or browned Italian sausage penne for something heartier.

Serving Suggestions

Sometimes all you want is a big bowl of penne pasta and nothing else. Sometimes a slice of Italian bread or cheesy pesto bread on the side is all it takes on a meatless Monday!

When you do want to round out the meal with protein and veggies, you could serve it with baked chicken breast and a Caesar salad on the side.

A garnish of fresh basil or parsley is always a nice way to finish the dish before serving.

Penne pasta recipe on a plate with bread.

More to try: garlic buttered noodles, pink sauce pasta, chicken fettuccine Alfredo and tuscan chicken pasta.

More Easy Pasta Recipes

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Penne pasta on a plate.

Creamy Penne Pasta

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
This creamy penne pasta dish is easy to make with a rich garlic Parmesan cheese sauce and Italian seasoning. It's a cozy weeknight meal ready in 20 minutes!
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Ingredients 

  • 10 ounces penne pasta , uncooked
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons flour
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese , freshly grated

Instructions

  • Boil water: In a large pot of salted water, boil 10 ounces penne noodles al dente according to directions on package
  • Make sauce: While pasta is cooking, melt 2 Tablespoons butter into a large skillet over medium high heat. Whisk in 1 1/2 teaspoons flour for about 1 minute. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1/3 cup chicken broth and continue whisking for one more minute. Add 1 cup whipping cream and whisk for a few minutes, until the sauce gets thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, but not so thick that it's gummy.
  • Add cheese and spices: Add 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Stir well and remove from heat.
  • Add pasta to sauce: Drain pasta and add to sauce. Toss until well coated.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Add grilled chicken for a more protein packed meal.
Store: Keep leftovers stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Do not freeze.
Reheat: Add a splash of cream or broth to help loosen and warm it up in the microwave or on the stove.

Nutrition

Calories: 573kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 629mg, Potassium: 246mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1153IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 214mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.