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This super easy One Pot Creamy Penne Alfredo with Spicy Arugula is the perfect easy recipe. I took a classic pasta recipe and updated it with a one pot cooking method and a rich and creamy sauce. Penne pasta tossed with herby garlic butter, then boiled until al dente. Add a splash of milk, a touch of cream, and a generous handful of parmesan cheese for a luscious, creamy penne Alfredo. Every bite of pasta has delicious Italian flavors that melt in your mouth. Fancy enough for the weekend, but easy enough to make any night of the week. And most importantly, it’s delicious!
Sharing the absolute easiest bowl of comfort food today. And you guys, it’s the perfect mid-week pasta to keep things exciting…and yes, delicious too. Growing up, fettuccini alfredo was something my dad would make only on the weekends as our special occasion pasta. Meaning dinner and a movie kind of Friday or Saturday night.
Oh my gosh, do you guys remember those days? I loved when my dad would make his creamy fettuccini and we’d all pile on the couch for a good movie. I wouldn’t mind going back for just a day or so. Simply the best, right?
Lately, I’ve been drawing some inspiration from my favorite childhood comfort foods. Which made me realize that I don’t have a good stove-top Alfredo recipe that’s simple and flavorful like Dad’s. How that is I have not a clue. But the good news is that I quickly worked to change that, and created the perfect creamy, one-pot penne alfredo.
This. Is. So. Good…and easy too!
As I said, I’ve been looking back to my days of living at home with my family for some inspiration recently. Alfredo was such a special pasta dish. We’d only have it every so often, but when my dad made it, it was always enjoyed.
I knew I wanted to create the perfect creamy alfredo that was similar to my dad’s, but all made in one pot, and hopefully just as delicious. With the addition of some spicy arugula on top, I was able to use way less cream, butter, and even cheese, to create a slightly lighter pasta. But yet still keep this dish as the super creamy, cheesy Alfredo that everyone loves.
(pasta cooking in water and butter)
Here are all the details.
As you can guess, this is so quick and easy. Start by melting together some butter, garlic, and herbs. I love to use a mix of dried basil and oregano for a classic Italian sauce. Then add water and bring to a boil. Use a pot that will be large enough to hold the pasta and sauce.
Once the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and boil until al dente. Then simply stir in all the remaining ingredients. The key is to use a touch of cream cheese for an extra added creaminess. This creates the perfect amount of creamy sauce, but still keeps things on the lighter side.
Just before the sauce is finished cooking, stir in lots and lots of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for additional flavor and to finish out the recipe.
SIMPLE but GOOD.
Now finish it up…
While the sauce simmers, mix up a simple herby, spicy arugula salad. It’s just a quick mix of olive oil, lemon, shallots, and chili flakes tossed with arugula and whatever fresh herbs you have on hand.
Serve the penne topped with the arugula and an extra dusting of parmesan…for good measure. When all combined together ’tis a very delicious meal that will remind you of your favorite restaurant-style Alfredo pasta. Or maybe, like me, it will remind you of childhood days enjoying creamy bowls of dad’s Alfredo!
What I love about this recipe is that it really does look and taste like a dish you’d order out from your favorite Italian spot. BUT, it’s all made at home in just 30 minutes, and all in ONE pot. It’s pretty hard to beat. If you wanted to add a little protein, I’d toss in some grilled or roasted pesto chicken. That would be delicious!!
Looking for other quick-cooking pasta dinners? Here are some of my favorites:
20 Minute Orzo Carbonara with Crispy Prosciutto and Burrata
20 Minute Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta and Spicy Breadcrumbs
One Pot Baked Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese
Lastly, if you make this One Pot Creamy Penne Alfredo with Spicy Arugula, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Pot Creamy Penne Alfredo with Spicy Arugula
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 447 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- red pepper flakes
- 1 pound penne pasta
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup whole milk or canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 1/2 cup mixed fresh herbs, such as parsley and basil
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot set over medium heat, melt together the butter, garlic, oregano, basil, onion powder, and a pinch of red pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Do not drain the water. Stir in the milk, cream, and cream cheese and cook until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is al dente, about 4-5 minutes more.2. Stir in the parmesan until melted and creamy. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper.3. To make the arugula, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, and a pinch each of red pepper, salt, and pepper. Add the arugula and mixed herbs, toss to coat. 4. Spoon the pasta into bowls and top with arugula and extra parmesan. Enjoy!
So easy and delicious! Added broccoli and shrimp, amazing.
Hey Dee,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed:) xTieghan
I just made this for dinner today and it was delicious! I only had half & half on hand so used that instead of milk and cream and it was perfect! I also added charred portobello mushrooms at the end and it was sensational! Thank you!
Hey Inna,
Wonderful! That’s so great to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great Friday:) xTieghan
I’ve made some of your other pasta recipes before and loved them so I was really excited to make this for my friends one night but it did not turn out right at all. The cheese clumped up and the oil wouldn’t all absorb making it an oily mess with no creaminess. I completely trust that this is a great dish and just wondering what could’ve gone wrong? I think it was because I used minced garlic in a jar instead of fresh? My friends are going to remake it!
Hey Caitlin,
So sorry to hear this! Was your cheese at room temp? I can’t imagine that jarred garlic would be the culprit. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
I left it out for about 45 mins but maybe it wasn’t long enough. I also used Kraft grated Parmesan instead of grating Parmesan myself. Not sure if that had anything to do with it. I’ll leave another review when my friends and I try again! Thanks!
Made this tonight with chicken. Taste amazing, and very easy to make!! I unfortunately didn’t have the greens for topping so I threw in fresh basil, roasted asparagus and broccoli at the end. You are my go-to when I need an easy delicious recipe 🙂 thank you!
Hey Amelia,
Happy Thursday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This was delicious! Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. My kids gave it 10/10.
Hey Sarah,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! ☀️xTieghan
So delicious and incredibly easy to make. Loved the acidity of the salad with the creaminess of the pasta. Amazing recipe.
Hey Jamie,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Tasted excellent, was easy to make, and was great leftover.
Hey Rochelle,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
This was amazing!! I added blackened chicken and the salad on top was so unexpected, but genius! And of course a one pot meal is always appreciated 🙂
Hey Jess,
Fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
I think it’s perfect and delicious
Hey there,
Fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Made this tonight. No picture because we couldn’t wait to eat it. And then there was none left. A+++++++++++
Hey Joy,
Awesome! I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Omg !! This is the best pasta recipe I’ve tried. Easy & so flavorful. Thank you .
I served the salad on the side & it was perfect.
Hey Sandy,
Awesome! I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
I have a question about the amount of water used to cook the pasta. When I use the slider to change the number of servings (love this feature!), the amount of water to cook the pasta does not change. It’s always 4 cups. Should I change it proportionally?
Thanks!
Hey Diane,
Yes, depending on the servings, you will also need to add more water to ensure the pasta cooks properly. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Excellent Alfredo with one pot?! Yes!! Made this without the arugula and served it with a spicy chicken sausage. Yum!
Hey Kristen,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed and I really appreciate you giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Made this for lunch on a rainy day. I did not have arugula, used spicy curly mustard from my garden, and substituted red onion for shallots. Delicious and definitely hit the spot! Just me, easy enough to halve the recipe.
Hey Nanette,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed and I really appreciate you giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
This looks so good!! So i forgot the heavy cream could I sub more whole milk? And could I use fettuccine? Trying to use what I have on hand instead of an extra store trip..thanks.
Hey Ash,
Yes, whole milk and fettuccine will both work just fine! I hope you love the dish, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Made this tonight for dinner. Added shrimp, it was excellent!!
Hey Patti,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great Sunday:) xTieghan