The HEALTHIEST Creamy Garlic Pasta | Easy ONE-PAN 20 Minute Recipe

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Processed cheese is often cheaper and melts well.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Margarine is a cost-effective substitute for butter.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Evaporated milk provides creaminess at a lower cost.

Heat a large fry pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

Finely chop 1 small onion and roughly chop 8 cloves of garlic, then add them to the pan, mixing to coat in the olive oil.

Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and mix to coat the garlic and onion.

Pour in 3.5 cups of vegetable broth and season with sea salt and black pepper; increase heat to high and mix gently.

Once the broth boils, add 2.25 cups of penne pasta, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Cook the pasta for 9-10 minutes, then check if the broth is mostly absorbed but some remains.

Cover the pan and reduce heat to low-medium, simmering for another 2-4 minutes until the pasta is al dente.

In a bowl, add 4 ounces of light cream cheese (at room temperature) and mix in 0.5 cup of grated cheese and 0.25 cup of chopped parsley, seasoning with salt and pepper.

When the pasta is al dente, turn off the heat and add the cream cheese mixture, stirring until well combined and creamy.

If the sauce is too thick, add more broth as needed.

Serve directly from the pan or transfer to serving dishes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens