Save There's something almost meditative about watching garlic turn golden in melted butter—that moment when the kitchen fills with a smell so warm and inviting that you almost forget you're cooking at all. One Tuesday evening, I needed dinner on the table in twenty minutes, and instead of ordering takeout, I grabbed a box of ditalini and some chicken broth and discovered that the simplest ingredients, cooked with a little patience, could taste like comfort itself. This one-pot pasta has become my go-to when I want something satisfying without the fuss, and honestly, my family asks for it more often than anything else I make.
I made this for my neighbor last month when she was juggling work deadlines and three kids, and she called me the next day just to say how much simpler dinner felt that night. There's something about feeding people something warm and uncomplicated that reminds them cooking doesn't have to be complicated either.
Ingredients
- Ditalini pasta: Those little tube-shaped pieces are perfect here because they trap the broth inside them, creating pockets of flavor instead of just coating the outside.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium is key—you want to taste the garlic and butter, not salt, and you can always adjust seasoning at the end.
- Unsalted butter: Three tablespoons might sound like a lot, but it's the foundation of everything that makes this dish shine.
- Fresh garlic: Mince it yourself if you can; jarred garlic never quite tastes the same, and those four cloves are doing the heavy lifting here.
- Shallot: This is optional, but if you have one on hand, it adds a subtle sweetness that balances the sharp garlic beautifully.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated makes all the difference—the pre-shredded stuff has additives that prevent clumping and change how it melts into the broth.
- Red pepper flakes: A quiet whisper of heat rather than a shout; adjust to your comfort level or leave them out entirely.
- Fresh parsley: A last-minute sprinkle of green brightens everything and makes it look like you spent more time than you actually did.
Instructions
- Melt and bloom the aromatics:
- Melt butter over medium heat and add your minced garlic (and shallot if you're using one). You want to cook it for about a minute until the smell hits you—that's when you know the garlic is releasing its flavor without burning, which would make it bitter.
- Coat the pasta in butter and garlic:
- Add the ditalini to that fragrant butter and stir everything together so each piece gets coated. This extra minute of contact helps the pasta absorb flavor from the moment it hits the pot.
- Add the broth and bring to a boil:
- Pour in your chicken broth and watch it come to a rolling boil—this is when everything feels like it's actually becoming something. Once it boils, turn the heat down to a gentle simmer.
- Cook and stir frequently:
- For the next ten to twelve minutes, stir the pasta every couple of minutes. The constant motion prevents the bottom from sticking and helps the pasta cook evenly as it absorbs the liquid.
- Finish with cheese and seasoning:
- Once the pasta is tender and most of the broth is absorbed, stir in your Parmesan, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you're using them. Taste as you go and add salt a pinch at a time.
- Rest and serve:
- Turn off the heat and let everything sit for two minutes—this allows the pasta to finish absorbing any remaining liquid and thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, and serve immediately while it's hot.
Save My daughter asked for seconds the first time I made this, and then asked if we could have it again the next night—and that's when I knew this recipe had earned its place in our regular rotation. There's something powerful about feeding someone so simply that they forget to fuss and just eat.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this dish is how forgiving it is. Once you understand the basic method, you can lean into your own preferences without worrying about throwing it off balance. I've stirred in sautéed spinach on nights when I want vegetables, added leftover chicken for protein, and even swapped the chicken broth for vegetable broth when cooking for vegetarian friends, and it works every single time.
The Richness Factor
If you find yourself wanting the dish even creamier than it is—and there are times when nothing but extra richness will do—stir in a splash of heavy cream or milk right at the end, just before serving. It transforms the broth into something almost like a light sauce, and the pasta becomes even more luxurious. Some nights call for restraint; other nights call for cream.
Timing and Temperature
This is genuinely a twenty-minute dinner from start to finish, which means you can have it on the table faster than delivery arrives. The key is having everything prepped before you turn on the heat—chop your garlic and shallot, grate your cheese, measure your broth—so that once you start cooking, it's just a matter of following the rhythm of the pot.
- Have your garnish of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan ready to go so you're not hunting for them when the pasta is done.
- If you're cooking for people who prefer their pasta softer, add an extra minute or two to the cooking time; if they like it firmer, check it at the ten-minute mark.
- The resting period after you turn off the heat is not optional—those two minutes let everything settle and thicken into exactly the right consistency.
Save This pasta reminds me that the best meals don't require hours of work or complicated techniques—sometimes they just need butter, garlic, and the willingness to stir. That's enough.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, vegetable broth works great as a substitute to keep it vegetarian without sacrificing flavor.
- → How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?
Stir frequently during simmering and add a splash of hot water or broth if the mixture dries out before the pasta is tender.
- → Can I add extra veggies to this dish?
Absolutely, sautéed spinach, peas, or mushrooms can be stirred in for more texture and nutrition.
- → What cheese pairs well with this preparation?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances creaminess and adds a rich, savory flavor that complements the garlic and butter.
- → Is this dish suitable for a quick weeknight meal?
Yes, with just 20 minutes total cooking time, it’s perfect for easy and satisfying weeknight dinners.