This Creamy Penne Pasta Recipe is a super easy and delicious 20-minute recipe made with penne pasta smothered in a garlic butter cream sauce. Perfect served as a comforting main course or simple side dish.

Creamy Penne Pasta

Whenever my body craves some serious comfort food I always make this deliciously creamy garlic penne pasta. On the table in just 20-minutes, it’s made with simple ingredients – many of which you may already have in your pantry or refrigerator!

Enjoyed by my whole family (all of us always go for seconds), this simple creamy penne is similar to fettuccine alfredo but more garlicky and not quite as heavy.

But one of the best parts about this recipe is how easy it is to modify. Sometimes I’ll add some peas or mushrooms and sliced chicken breast to make it feel like a more well-rounded, complete meal. Most of the time, however, I’ll just cozy up with a big bowl of this out-of-this-world creamy garlic penne with nothing more than a generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan cheese and maybe (probably) a glass of wine.

It’s really easy to make this creamy, luscious homemade white sauce. You’ll need a large pan or skillet and the following ingredients (exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post):

salt
butter
all-purpose flour
fresh garlic
vegetable broth or chicken broth
fresh lemon juice
heavy cream
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Start by melting the butter in your pan or skillet. Once melted, whisk in the flour, creating a thick roux. Allow the roux to cook for a minute before adding the garlic, followed by the veggie broth or chicken broth (you can even add white wine) and lemon juice. Mix well to combine. Stir in the cream and simmer for a minute or two before adding the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Once the penne is cooked, reserve at least 1 cup of hot salted pasta water before draining. Use the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.

When ready, add the penne to the creamy garlic sauce and toss to coat.

Recipe Notes + Tips

Although I made this recipe with penne pasta, feel free to use any pasta shape or noodle.
I highly recommend making this recipe using freshly grated parmesan cheese – not the powdered stuff. The flavor will be better overall and there won’t be any weird clumping.
I do not recommend making this recipe using half-and-half or any other lower-fat cream alternative. The sauce may curdle or separate due to the lower fat content and it will not taste as rich and delicious.
If the sauce becomes too thick, simply thin it out with some of the reserved pasta water that was used to cook the penne.
The sauce will continue to thicken as the pasta cools.
Season to taste. I did not provide exact amounts of salt or pepper as everyone has their own preference. Expect, however, that you will need to be somewhat generous with the salt as it is the primary seasoning.
Leftovers are delicious reheated the next day. Since the sauce will have thickened considerably, expect to add a little bit of liquid (cream, chicken broth, etc) before heating. Heat for 30 seconds in the microwave, gently stir, and continue to heat until the desired temperature is reached.

I hope you LOVE this easy penne pasta recipe! It’s:

Creamy
Comforting
Rich
Luscious
Versatile
Cheesy
& so delicious!

Perfect any time of the year, I especially love serving this creamy penne with a small green salad, fruit salad, juicy chicken breast, or maybe even some yummy roasted asparagus.

Looking for more delicious pasta recipes? Try these reader favorites:

Have you tried making this Creamy Penne Pasta Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

Creamy Penne Pasta Recipe