Quick, easy, and oh-so-cheesy, this ranch parmesan pasta side dish is made in one-pot, in just 15 minutes, with only 5 ingredients! We guarantee the whole family will fall in love with these buttery, cheesy and flavorful noodles.
Why We Love This Cheesy Ranch Parmesan Pasta
We took our favorite parmesan noodles and we added ranch seasoning. It adds so much flavor and takes them to a whole new level! We make these often on busy nights, when we need something quick that the whole family is guaranteed to gobble up. We often serve them with our lemon pepper chicken, these baked pork chops, or a rotisserie chicken! Here’s why we know you will make them over and over again:
- Comfort Food: There’s just something about these buttery and cheesy noodles that feels so comforting!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, this parmesan pasta is a lifesaver for busy weeknights.
- Ranch Flavor: The ranch seasoning adds a tangy, savory kick that makes this side dish stand out.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need five basic ingredients — perfect for when the pantry is looking sparse or the grocery budget is tight!
- One-Pot Dish: Fewer dishes to clean up is always a win in our book!
Looking for more easy pasta side dish recipes? Try our garlic butter noodles, broccoli Mac and cheese, or this fresh orzo salad with arugula!
Key Ingredients
Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this ranch parmesan pasta recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Angle Hair Pasta: We love extra thin noodles for the maximum cheesy goodness to pasta ratio. However, you can also use spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne!
- Whole Milk: While you can use another type of milk, whole milk will get you the best consistency. Half and half is a good substitute!
- Parmesan Cheese: Try to only use freshly grated parmesan cheese if you can! It really lends the best flavor and consistency. Also, make sure you save some for sprinkling on top!
- Ranch Seasoning: We love using our homemade ranch seasoning whenever we can, but store-bought works just fine too!
How to Make Ranch Parmesan Pasta
You can have this easy, cheesy pasta on the table in about 15 minutes. Yes, really! Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente. Drain, but don’t rinse!
- Add butter: Add the pasta back to the pot and mix in the butter until melted.
- Add milk: Stir in the whole milk.
- Add ranch and parmesan: Add the parmesan and ranch seasoning to the pasta and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Cook’s Tips and Variations
- Avoid Overcooking: Keep an eye on your pasta as angel hair cooks fast!
- Garlic Lover’s Version: Use garlic butter, instead of regular butter, for a garlicky version. You can also add fresh minced garlic and butter to the pot and sauté for a few minutes, before tossing in the pasta.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or chives for an herbaceous touch.
- Lemon Twist: Squeeze in a little lemon juice, or a little fresh lemon zest, to brighten up the flavors.
- Add Some Veggies: Stir in some baby spinach, peas, or roasted cherry tomatoes for a pop of color and added nutrients.
What to Serve with Parmesan Pasta
- Protein: There are SO many entrees that pair perfectly with parmesan pasta! Some of our favorites include garlic butter steak bites, baked lemon pepper chicken, easy baked pork chops, and these quick air fryer shrimp.
- Veggies: Brighten up your plate with a vibrant veggie side dish like oven roasted cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and sautéed zucchini and squash.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just make sure it’s kept in an airtight container!
- Reheating: If you’re in a time crunch, just pop your leftovers in the microwave and zap it for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time it stops. However, this pasta is so much better reheated on your stovetop over low heat. Stirring occasionally and adding milk or butter to keep it from drying out.
Cheesy Ranch Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz angel hair pasta, or thin spaghetti
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 oz (1 packet) ranch seasoning
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain cooked pasta, but do not rinse. Save and set aside ½ cup pasta water to use later, if needed.
- Add the pasta back into the same pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Then stir in the milk.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If your pasta looks a little dry, stir in a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen up the sauce.
- Serve immediately with a little extra parmesan on top!