Easy Creamy Penne Recipe (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
8 oz dried penne pasta
02 -
2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 -
1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 -
3 fresh garlic cloves, finely minced
05 -
1/4 cup dry white wine (or substitute with chicken or vegetable stock)
06 -
1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
07 -
1 cup heavy whipping cream
08 -
1/4 tsp dried Italian herb seasoning
09 -
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
10 -
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to your preference
11 -
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
# Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook until just tender with a slight bite, following the package timing instructions.
02 -
When your pasta has about 10 minutes left to cook, warm the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's completely melted and starting to foam, dust in the flour and cook for roughly a minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
03 -
Stir in the minced garlic, then immediately pour in the wine and lemon juice. Let the mixture bubble vigorously until the liquid reduces by about half - this should take 30 seconds to a minute.
04 -
Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, making sure the flour completely dissolves without any lumps. Add the Italian seasoning and let the sauce simmer gently for several minutes until it coats the back of a spoon nicely.
05 -
Remove the pan from heat and fold in the Parmesan cheese. Taste and season generously with salt and pepper - don't be shy here. Drain the pasta (save a bit of the starchy water) and toss everything together in the skillet, adding a splash of pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
06 -
Transfer to serving bowls immediately and top with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you like. This is best enjoyed right away while it's hot and creamy.
# Notes:
01 -
This recipe serves anywhere from 2-4 people depending on appetites and what else you're serving alongside.
02 -
Feel free to customize this basic garlic cream sauce with your favorite herbs and spices to make it your own.
03 -
Heavy cream is essential for the proper texture - lighter alternatives may not thicken correctly and could require adjustments to cooking time or additional flour.