One Pot Alfredo Pasta is made using only 5 ingredients! In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a creamy, indulgent pasta dinner that’s lighter than traditional Alfredo—No cream!
This might not be an authentic Italian pasta alfredo, but it’s the perfect quick weeknight dinner you can whip up in under 20 minutes. It’s a lifesaver for those hectic days, when you need to get dinner on the table fast.
One-pot pasta dishes are a lifesaver when it comes to minimal cleanup—a definite win in my book! Plus, the best part is that everyone in my family adores Alfredo pasta. It’s a true win-win!
Like in the instant pot alfredo pasta recipe, the pasta cooks with the sauce all in one pan, allowing the noodles to absorb the liquid and create a starchy binder. The sauce clings beautifully to the noodles, preventing any separation between them. The result? A luxuriously creamy lighter alfredo sauce without any cream!
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Why you'll love it?
- No boiling pasta seperately
- 5 ingredient dinner
- Easy clean up
- Lighter alfredo pasta
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Made without cream
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Pasta – I used spaghetti noodles for this recipe because they cook quickly in one pan. However, you can easily swap them out for any medium-sized pasta like fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni, or stick with the classic fettuccini. Just keep in mind that thicker pasta may take a bit longer to cook. If you’re concerned about having enough liquid, keep some hot broth on hand to add a splash if needed!
- Milk - For this one pot Alfredo pasta recipe, you can use milk of any fat percentage. However, I prefer whole milk because it provides the necessary richness to create a creamy sauce, especially since we’re not using any cream.
- Parmesan: There is no alfredo without parmesan! Use freshly grated of possible to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Stock - I use 33% reduced-sodium chicken stock in this recipe, but you can easily substitute vegetable stock or even water to keep it vegetarian. Just keep in mind that with only five ingredients, chicken stock provides essential flavor, especially since there’s no chicken or shrimp to enhance the taste. If you opt for regular sodium stock, be sure to adjust the salt accordingly!
How to make?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
💡 Best pot to use: Make sure to choose a pot that is wide and deep enough to comfortably fit the noodles. If you don’t have a large enough pot, you can break the spaghetti in half or opt for a shorter pasta shape instead.
Pro tip: Stir the pasta constantly while it cooks, using a large spoon or tongs. This helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan or clumping together.
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One pot magic
Alfredo sauces typically require thickeners like heavy cream or flour to create that luxurious, silky texture. However, in this one-pot Alfredo pasta, the noodles cook directly in the sauce, releasing starch that acts as a natural thickener. This keeps the sauce lighter and just as delicious!
How to serve?
Alfredo pasta, like the creamy ramen alfredo, is best enjoyed piping hot right from the pan. Enhance the dish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a dash of black pepper for added flavor. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a lovely touch of color and freshness. For a complete meal, pair it with garlic bread or a crisp side salad. Serve immediately to savor the warm, creamy goodness!
Helpful tips
- Salt - The amount of salt you'll need can vary depending on the type of stock you use. While the stock and Parmesan cheese contribute some saltiness, you may still need to add a bit more. Adjust the salt to your taste as needed!
- Pasta - You can substitute spaghetti with other pasta shapes like fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni, or fettuccini. Just note that thicker pasta may take longer to cook. If you’re concerned about having enough liquid, keep some hot broth handy to add a splash if needed!
- Stock - Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to keep it vegetarian.
- Stir pasta constantly while cooking - This helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan or clumping together.
- Best pot to use for one pot pasta - Make sure to choose a pot that is wide and deep enough to comfortably fit the noodles. If you don’t have a large enough pot, you can break the spaghetti in half or opt for a shorter pasta shape instead.
Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of pasta, but keep in mind that cooking times will vary. I opted for spaghetti because it cooks quickly—in just 10 minutes—making it a perfect solution for a weeknight dinner. Fettuccini is great for a classic Alfredo, while shorter shapes like elbow macaroni, rotini, penne, or bow-tie also work well. Just remember that thicker pasta may take longer to cook. If you’re worried about having enough liquid, keep some hot broth on hand to add a splash if needed!
Classic variations of alfredo include chicken or shrimp. If you're interested, here are the instructions for both proteins.
To add chicken: Slice chicken breasts or thighs into ½-inch thick pieces and season with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a pan and sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, then remove it from the pan. Add garlic, liquids, and seasonings, and bring to a boil. Stir in the spaghetti and chicken, then cook according to the instructions.
To add shrimp: Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a pan and sear the shrimp on both sides until golden brown, then remove it from the pan. Add garlic, liquids, and seasonings, and bring to a boil. Stir in the spaghetti, then cook according to the instructions. Mix in shrimp along with the parmesan cheese.
More 20 minute dinner ideas
One Pot Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups milk preferably whole milk
- 1 large garlic clove, minced optional
- ½ to ¾ Salt use as needed
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add butter, stock, milk, garlic, salt and pepper into a large, deep pan. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the spaghetti, using tongs to spread it evenly. Cook over medium heat for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally with the tongs, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the pasta is tender.Tip: Stir pasta constantly while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan or clumping together.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until well combined. Allow the pasta to rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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