Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta combines smooth plant-based (plant-based) cheese with the perfect hint of garlic and a natural gelling agent to create a comforting, velvety dish. Quick to prepare and made with simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a special meal. Customizable and light, it delivers rich flavor without heaviness and is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ cups plant-based milk
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent (such as agar or carrageenan)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- ½ cup plant-based Parmesan cheese
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce later.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add finely minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 to 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it to avoid bitterness.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Slowly whisk in the plant-based milk and sprinkle in the natural gelling agent to thicken. Add vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) and stir well. Let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens and becomes creamy.
- Add Plant-Based Parmesan Cheese: Lower the heat and stir in the plant-based Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, coating each strand generously. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic to intensify the sauce’s flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to pasta.
- Cook the sauce low and slow to prevent sauce separation or grittiness.
- Customize sauce thickness with extra pasta water or plant-based milk for perfect creaminess.
- Serve immediately for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan pasta, plant-based pasta sauce, dairy-free pasta, vegetarian pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner