This creamy penne pasta is a quick, satisfying dish ready in about 20 minutes — perfect as a meatless main or a rich side.
If you enjoy penne, consider trying other favorites like Penne alla Vodka, Chicken Penne Pasta, or Baked Penne for more easy weeknight meals.
Why you’ll love it
A steaming bowl of this creamy garlic penne comes together as the pasta cooks. It uses common pantry and fridge ingredients, making it a perfect, low-effort weeknight recipe.
The sauce has balanced, comforting flavors and works well on its own, though you can easily add cooked chicken, shrimp, or bacon if you want protein. Kids and picky eaters tend to love it.
What you’ll need
- Penne – the tube shape captures the sauce.
- Butter and flour – for a quick roux to thicken the sauce.
- Garlic – add more if you like a stronger garlic flavor.
- White wine or broth – dry white wine adds brightness; chicken or vegetable broth works fine.
- Lemon juice – a small splash brightens the sauce and balances richness.
- Heavy cream – gives the sauce its silky texture.
- Italian seasoning – a convenient mix of dried herbs to flavor the sauce.
- Parmesan – freshly grated melts and tastes better than pre-grated cheese.
Pro tips
- Season cream sauces well — they can taste flat without enough salt. Taste and adjust as you go.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of reserved hot pasta water to loosen it. Cream sauces thicken as they cool, so adjust before serving.
How to make creamy penne pasta
Overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients and detailed instructions appear in the recipe card below.
Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente. While it cooks, melt butter in a skillet and whisk in flour to form a roux. Add garlic, then deglaze with wine or broth and a touch of lemon juice; simmer until reduced. Whisk in the cream and Italian seasoning, cooking until the sauce reaches your preferred thickness.
Remove the pan from heat, stir in freshly grated parmesan, and season with salt and pepper. Toss the drained pasta with the sauce, adding a tablespoon or two of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan, and serve immediately.
Tools for this recipe
Simple kitchen tools make preparation easier: a good pan for the sauce, a pot for boiling pasta, and a fine grater for fresh parmesan.
- A sturdy skillet for the sauce.
- A large pot to cook pasta evenly.
- A microplane or grater for fresh parmesan.
Substitutions and variations
- A lower-fat cream substitute can cause curdling or a thinner sauce, so it’s not recommended unless you adjust technique or thickener amounts.
- Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or crumbled bacon to make this a heartier main.
- Swap penne for rigatoni or another medium-sized pasta shape — anything that holds sauce works well.
What to serve with creamy penne
- As a main, serve with cheesy garlic bread, garlic knots, or breadsticks for a comforting meal.
- A crisp side salad (Caesar or mixed greens) adds freshness and balance.
- As a side, pair it with baked chicken breast, pork tenderloin, or salmon patties for a complete plate.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- Reheat gently on low heat with a splash of broth or wine to restore saucy texture.
- Freezing is not recommended, as the cream sauce can separate and change texture.
More easy pasta recipes
- Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce
- Super Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta
- White Wine Cream Sauce for Ravioli
- Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo
- Easy Creamy Lemon Pasta
If you have questions about this simple penne recipe, leave a comment and rating in the recipe card below. I always appreciate feedback and photos if you try it at home.
Creamy Penne Pasta
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked penne
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 tablespoon flour
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken/veg broth
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley optional, to taste
Instructions
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Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne until al dente according to package directions.
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When the pasta has about 10 minutes left, melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
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Add the garlic, then pour in the wine or broth and the lemon juice. Let it bubble until reduced by about half, roughly 30 seconds to 1 minute.
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Whisk in the cream to dissolve the flour, stir in the Italian seasoning, and simmer a few minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.
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Remove from heat and stir in the parmesan. Season generously with salt and pepper.
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Toss the drained pasta into the skillet and coat well. If the sauce is thick, add a tablespoon or two of reserved pasta water. Garnish with more parmesan and chopped parsley, then serve right away.
Notes
- Serves 2–4 depending on appetite and sides.
- This is a simple garlic cream sauce; feel free to add extra herbs or spices to personalize it.
- Using full-fat heavy cream gives the best texture; lower-fat substitutes may require adjustments.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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