Pasta lovers, get ready for a dish that will leave you with a new favorite pasta recipe: Creamy garlic and vegetable pasta. This creamy vegetable pasta is bursting with buttery goodness and flavorful garlic, is a vegetarian pasta recipe that will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. And let's be real, who doesn't have pasta in their pantry?
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For some reason during my second pregnancy, pasta and I just were not on good terms. But this vegetarian creamy pasta is one pasta I will ALWAYS indulge in. So good. Plus, this garlic creamy pasta is such a kid-friendly pasta that my kids will eat it almost daily if I let them!
Benefits of Adding Vegetables to Meals
This recipe not only satisfies the pasta craving, but it's also a great way to add some healthy dark green vegetables to your diet. According to MyPlate, adults should aim to consume 1.5 to 2 cups of dark green vegetables per week. This vegetable pasta makes it easy to do just that. Dark green vegetables include bok choy, broccoli (like we used in our recipe today), collard greens, dark green leafy lettuce (and some other types of lettuce), kale, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens, and so much more! Dark green vegetables are a great source of potassium, magnesium, vitamins A and C, folate, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms are just a few of the nutritious veggies that I used in this creamy vegetable pasta. Don't be afraid to get creative and use whatever veggies you have on hand.
📋 Ingredients for Creamy Vegetable Pasta
Let's take a look at the ingredients: pasta (I used farfalle pasta but any kind will do), garlic, milk, cream cheese, butter, flour, and of course, the star of the show - vegetables! Vegetables - I used broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms. Don't have these vegetables? Get creative! Use what you have in your fridge! The combination of milk and cream cheese creates a creamy sauce, while the flour and butter add a velvety texture. Also, let's not forget the sautéed garlic, which adds a depth of flavor to the pasta!
📖 Cooking the Pasta and Vegetables
To make this drool-worthy creamy veggie pasta, simply cook the pasta according to package instructions while sautéing the vegetables and garlic in butter in a large skillet.
Then, make the creamy garlic sauce by combining butter and flour, slowly adding in milk, and adding cream cheese for an extra dose of creaminess.
Finally, mix the pasta and vegetables with the garlic sauce in the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and any other desired toppings, like cheese and fresh herbs.
This vegetable pasta pairs perfectly with Citrus Salad, and some bread dipped in olive oil bread dip. And for a truly delicious and satisfying meal, serve it alongside a Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Tart. Trust us, your guests will be impressed. So the next time you're looking for a comforting and nutritious pasta dish, turn to this dreamy, creamy, and flavor-packed recipe.
If you're looking to substitute this creamy pasta sauce for a gluten-free option, check out this delicious gluten free white sauce by Wheat by the Wayside!
🍴 Other Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
- Vegetable Mexican Casserole
- Vegan Peanut Corn Curry
- Vegetable Pad Thai with Marinated Tofu
- Edamame Truffle Dumplings
- Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
🥗 More Pasta and Vegetable Recipes
- Vegetable Pasta with Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprouts
- Asparagus Pasta Salad
- Creamy Vegan Alfredo Pasta
If you loved this Creamy Garlic and Vegetable Pasta recipe, please let me know in the comments below! I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my weekly emails at the bottom so you never miss a new recipe!
📖 Recipe
Creamy Garlic and Vegetable Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta;, I used farfalle
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ½ cup zucchini;, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms;, chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 ½ cup milk;, I used 1% milk
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to the instructions on the package.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. Cook the vegetables and garlic in the butter for about 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and move the vegetables over to the side of the skillet. On the empty side of the skillet, melt the other tablespoon of butter and combine the flour with a whisk until it starts to turn a light brown. This flour and butter combo really adds the creamy thickness to the sauce.
- SLOWLY, add the milk to the butter and flour combo and keep whisking until no lumps are visible with the liquid. Let the liquid thicken with the vegetables for about 2-3 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Add the cream cheese for more creaminess and combine until no lumps are visible.
- Add in your pasta and mix until the pasta is well-coated with the sauce and vegetables.
- Season with salt and pepper. Optional additions: cheese, basil, or crushed red pepper.
Nutrition Info
Tej
Drool. This is comfort food with just the right amount of veggies. I love it!
Shweta
It really is! Thank you!
Laura
This recipe is delish! We used broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, bell pepper. I mixed in fresh basil, garlic salt, and shredded Romani cheese, and then a fresh diced tomato right before serving. Used quinoa and brown rice pasta. Turned out amazing! Thank you!
Shweta
That sounds delicious! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Jitendr
Very healthy
Shweta
And yummy 🙂
Dina gohel
I’ll make some for my grandkids. They would love it.