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    Home » Pasta

    Creamy Pasta Recipes

    Published: Jul 23, 2024 · Modified: Jan 21, 2025 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Creamy Pasta Recipes that you'll want to make on repeat! From creamy chicken pasta and instant pot alfredo to vibrant pink or red sauce ideas, these easy dinner ideas are quick and ready in under 30 minutes.

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    • Best pasta shape for creamy sauces
    • How to prevent creamy pasta sauce from curdling?
    • How to make creamy pasta recipes lighter?
    • Creamy pasta recipes

    Best pasta shape for creamy sauces

    The best pasta shape for creamy sauces varies depending on the specific type of sauce being used. When selecting the pasta shape, it's essential to take into account both the texture and thickness.

    Smooth white sauces like Alfredo are best paired with long, flat pasta such as fettuccine or linguine.

    As I mention in the round up post penne pasta recipes, tube-shaped pasta like penne or rigatoni excels at holding creamy sauces, including pink or red sauces, due to their sturdy structure and ability to retain sauce in their hollow centers.

    Meanwhile, the unique shape of farfalle or bow-tie pasta is ideal for capturing and retaining creamy sauces effectively.

    How to prevent creamy pasta sauce from curdling?

    You can significantly reduce the risk of your creamy pasta sauce curdling and ensure a smooth and velvety texture, by following these tips:

    • Slowly incorporate the dairy liquids into the hot pan in small batches, stirring continuously to ensure proper emulsification of the sauce.
    • To prevent curdling, avoid boiling the sauce, as high heat can cause the proteins in the dairy to separate. Instead, use low to medium heat when simmering or heating the creamy sauce.
    • Adding a small amount of all-purpose flour at the beginning not only helps stabilize the sauce and prevent curdling but also creates an ultra-thick and creamy consistency.
    • Stir the sauce continuously while adding the dairy, to help evenly distribute the heat.

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    How to make creamy pasta recipes lighter?

    1. Replace heavy cream with whole or low-fat milk, or opt for evaporated milk to achieve a creamier texture with fewer calories than heavy cream.
    2. Prepare a roux similar to the one used in our one-pot mac and cheese recipe. The flour in the roux not only thickens the sauce but also creates a wonderfully creamy texture when combined with milk and broth, allowing you to avoid heavy cream altogether.
    3. Tomato-based sauces, like pink sauce, can be made using a combination of milk and tomato sauce.
    4. Opt for olive oil over butter, or use a minimal amount of butter for sautéing to reduce unnecessary calories while still imparting flavor.
    5. Cooking pasta together with the sauce, as seen in instant pot pasta recipes, lets the pasta starches naturally thicken the cooking liquid, resulting in a naturally creamier sauce.

    Creamy pasta recipes

    1

    Instant Pot Alfredo Pasta comes together with just 5 ingredients! Creamy, rich, and indulgent, this easy recipe is ready in just 30 minutes. You’ll have a restaurant-quality, luscious pasta dinner with minimal effort!

    2

    This Creamy Salmon Pasta is the most amazing one pot pasta you'll make! It is silky and indulgent tasting but doesn't actually have that much cream in it. An ultra-luxurious dinner ready in 25 minutes.

    3

    This Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is easily made in one pot and is on the table in under 30 minutes. Aldente penne pasta, succulent chicken and tender broccoli smothered in a silky creamy, ultra luxurious alfredo sauce makes a complete meal perfect for busy weeknights that your whole family will love.

    4

    This Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta is a reader favorite! Shrimp and penne pasta are cooked in a luxurious tomato cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's so good!

    5

    This Lemon Chicken Pasta recipe is creamy, garlicky, zesty, super flavorful and is ready in under 30 minutes. It is made without wine for a family friendly meal.

    6

    This Instant Pot Penne alla Vodka is super easy and ready in under 30 minutes. Toss in some cubed chicken or shrimp for added protein. It's thick, creamy and luxurious!

    7

    Make Restaurant quality Shrimp Alfredo in instant pot! Ready in under 30 minutes, the pasta cooks in the sauce soaking up all the creamy, rich deliciousness. This instant pot shrimp pasta is cozy and comforting.

    8

    This Spicy Chicken Pasta Recipe is anything but bland! Toss your favorite noodles in a luscious creamy tomato sauce that is loaded with flavor - A restaurant quality meal ready in about 30 minutes.

    9

    This Instant Pot Pesto Pasta is made using only 5 ingredients but is shockingly flavorful and satisfying. Simply combine everything in the instant pot and cook, for a quick 20-minute dinner.

    10

    This Chicken Mushroom Pasta is ready in under 30 minutes. Aldente pasta is smothered in a lusciously creamy pink sauce and is loaded with chunks of tender chicken and buttery mushrooms. It is indulgent but not ridiculously rich. 

    11

    Creamy Ramen Noodles is made with only 5 INGREDIENTS, ready in under 10 minutes and is a LIGHTENED UP version of Fettuccini Alfredo!

    12

    This Instant Pot Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce is without the guilt! I swap heavy cream for coconut milk to create a rich, luxurious pink sauce that’s totally indulgent—but secretly lighter. 

    13

    Creamy Butter Chicken Pasta with all the authentic flavors of classic Butter chicken combined with penne pasta for a cozy and comforting weeknight dinner. Indian style chicken pasta for the win!!

    14

    Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake is made with chunks of chicken, your favorite pasta, broccoli all wrapped up in a creamy Alfredo sauce. 

    15

    This Chicken Vodka Pasta is thick, luxurious and is ready in 30 minutes. It is fast and will please everyone at the diner table. Skip vodka to make it family friendly!

    16

    This One Pot Mac and Cheese is outrageously creamy, smooth and cheesy! Made in the stovetop using 5 main ingredients, it is the easiest and comforting weeknight dinner that is ready in under 20 minutes.

    17

    This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta features penne pasta smothered in a buttery cream sauce infused with basil pesto, and juicy chicken. It’s indulgent but not ridiculously rich and is ready in 30 minutes.

    Whether you're in the mood for cozy and comforting fettuccini alfredo or chicken pasta dishes, these pasta dishes are quick, easy, and guaranteed to satisfy your family at dinner tonight.

    All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

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    Hi, I'm Maria! I'm excited to share with you creative twists on classic Indian, American, and global dishes—perfect for easy family meals or unique dishes to impress guests!

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