Spaghetti
🧀 The Cheesier, the Better: Meet Your New Favorite Pasta
Cheese lovers—this one’s for YOU! If your idea of the perfect pasta involves twirling strands of spaghetti drenched in a super creamy, cheesy, garlic-infused sauce… welcome home. This One Pot Cheesy Spaghetti is rich, flavorful, and ridiculously easy. We’re talking minimal cleanup, maximum cheesiness, and total comfort food goals.
And here’s the best part? It all comes together in one pan—no need to boil pasta separately or juggle multiple burners. Just a little garlic, broth, and a glorious trio of cheeses: Parmesan, Fontina, and Asiago. Yup, this dish knows how to impress.
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
This dish keeps it simple but makes a HUGE impact with bold, cheesy flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own One Pot Cheesy Spaghetti:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 drizzle of olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ lb dry spaghetti
- 2–3 cups chicken stock (enough to just cover the pasta)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan
- ½ cup shredded Asiago
- ½ cup shredded Fontina
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan & cracked black pepper (for topping)
Optional Add-Ins: Grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, mushrooms, or roasted cherry tomatoes!
🍝 How to Make One Pot Cheesy Spaghetti – Step-by-Step
Let’s walk through this easy recipe together. It’s foolproof and fabulous!
1. Start with Butter, Olive Oil & Garlic
In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter with a healthy drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Once melted, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant—about 30 seconds.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the garlic brown! You just want it soft and aromatic to infuse that buttery base.
2. Add the Pasta + Broth
Break your ½ lb of spaghetti in half if needed to fit in the pan. Add it straight into the garlicky butter and toss it to coat every strand in that flavor.
Next, pour in just enough chicken stock to cover the pasta (about 2 to 2½ cups depending on your pan). Season with a generous pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Cover the pan and bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Let It Cook — No Draining Needed!
Let the spaghetti cook covered for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be just al dente and most of the liquid should be absorbed. If things look dry before the pasta is done, add a little more stock.
4. Time for the Creamy Magic
Once the pasta is cooked and coated in a starchy, slightly thickened broth, stir in ¾ cup of heavy cream. Let it come back to a gentle simmer. This is where things get extra luscious.
Now, slowly stir in your cheeses:
- ½ cup Parmesan
- ½ cup Asiago
- ½ cup Fontina
Mix until completely melted and the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and ultra-cheesy.
5. Garnish & Serve!
Top with more freshly grated Parmesan, a few torn basil leaves, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Serve immediately while it’s hot and melty—you’re not going to want to wait for this one!
🔄 Why One Pot Pasta Just Hits Different
There’s something magical about the way pasta cooks directly in the broth. It absorbs so much flavor, and the starch from the pasta helps the sauce cling beautifully. You get a naturally thick, silky sauce that doesn’t require a roux or a separate pot.
Bonus: You only have one dish to clean. Major win.
✨ Customization Ideas
Make this One Pot Cheesy Spaghetti your own with any of the following upgrades:
- Add protein: Stir in cooked shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy pancetta for extra substance.
- Go veggie: Add baby spinach, mushrooms, or steamed broccoli for a veggie-packed version.
- Try different cheeses: Gouda, Gruyère, mozzarella, or Havarti are fun swaps if you want to experiment!
🧊 Storing & Reheating
Leftovers? Lucky you!
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
Just note: this dish is creamiest and best right after making, so if you’re serving guests—make it fresh!
🍷 What to Serve with Cheesy Spaghetti
You’ve got the creamy, dreamy main dish—now pair it with these sides for a full-on comfort food moment:
- Crisp Caesar salad or arugula with lemon dressing
- Garlic bread or buttery breadsticks
- White wine, like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
- Sparkling water with lemon or basil for a non-alcoholic vibe
📌 Final Thoughts: Cheesy, Creamy Pasta Heaven in 20 Minutes
This One Pot Cheesy Spaghetti is the definition of easy comfort food. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but fancy enough to serve for a casual dinner party. The flavor? Out of this world. The cleanup? Practically nonexistent. The cheese factor? MAXIMUM.
Make it once, and I promise—it’ll be on repeat.