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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.
Watch the How-To Reel
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!
This post was originally published on April 14, 2021
This looks SO good! If I’m out of penne, do you recommend rotini or rigatoni with this? I can’t wait for the spicy arugula!
Hey Sam,
I think either of those would work well for you! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hello, going to try this tonight. Do I adjust the water to the ration of my serving. So for 1 1/2 lb pasta do I add 6 cups of water?
Thanks for all the great recipes!
Antonella
Hey Antonella,
Yes, that would be correct. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Making this tonight for this snowy Colorado day!! I know it will be perfect, your recipes NEVER disappoint.
Thanks so much Samantha!!
To all my lactose intolerant friends, I substituted regular milk for lactose free whole milk, cream cheese for Mykonos brand vegan cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream for a non dairy heavy whipping cream and it came out GREAT! I did not substitute the parm though as it’s kind of the main ingredient and since it’s an aged cheese it’s supposedly low in lactose anyways. Try this recipe!
Hey Mandi,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend! xTieghan
I made this tonight. Took longer than expected for a one pot dinner and was bland and watery. I used every ingredient on the list including all fresh herbs and freshly grated Parmesan. My husband kindly said don’t go to the trouble of making it again. And he NEVER says that! Lol! Still love most of your recipes though!
Hey Patti,
So sorry this recipe wasn’t enjoyed. Did you use just the 4 cups of water? If you used more than that it could have been the issue here. Let me know if this helps! xTieghan
Cooked this recipe this evening. I didn’t have all the arugula ingridents so I skipped this part. I use heavy whipping cream and realized I should use heavy cream. I would cook it again next time with all of the ingridents and pennes instead farfalle pasta. I would add grilled chicken strips on top or side. Kudos!
Hey Beth,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Hi!!! If i was adding chicken, when would i add it in? Or would i just add cooked chicken at the end? Cant wait to try this!
Hey Harley,
I would cook your chicken on the side and then just add to the final dish. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
made this tonight using banza chickpea pasta to make it gluten free and it’s a new family favorite – thank you, Tieghan!!
Hey Maddy,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Looks great!!! Thanks for sharing. Is that a Dutch oven?
Thanks Kris! Yes, it sure is:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Loved it! Kids loved it! New weekly vegetarian favourite ?
Hey Camilla,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
You have so many ideas!. So easy too… as a working mom of 2… I can’t thank you enough!. Thanks for sharing … All the way from Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean ❤️
Thank you so much for reading along and your kind message! xTieghan
This looks great! Love all of your recipes. Do you have any substitutions for cream cheese or is it necessary for the proper consistency? Thanks!
Hey Sydney,
The cream cheese really does add an extra creaminess to this dish, I think ricotta would also be great here! I hope you love the dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This alfredo recipe takes me back to my growing up years as well. We definitely had it every couple of weeks and it has such a comforting and hearty feel about it. I love your added touch of arugula. Gives it a fresh and beautiful presentation. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much! I hope you love this recipe!!
Hi!!! this recipe sounds incredible! Just want to confirm – do not drain pasta water at all, right?
Hey Megan,
Yes, that is correct. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Will be making this soon can i use vegan butter as am a vegan i love pasta soooooooooooooo much perfect for my after office meals will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Thanks so much Ramya!