Description
Creamy and comforting Garlic Parmesan Pasta, made with simple ingredients for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Melt the butter: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter completely.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Add the heavy cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate the Parmesan cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the sauce: Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Boil the pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- Drain the pasta: Drain the pasta in a colander.
- Add pasta to the sauce: Immediately add the drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic Parmesan sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Adjust consistency with pasta water: If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately: Serve the Garlic Parmesan Pasta immediately while it’s hot and creamy. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese from a block for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t burn the garlic, as it will make the sauce bitter.
- Remove the skillet from the heat before adding the cheese to prevent it from clumping.
- Cook the pasta al dente.
- Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Add protein (grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage) or vegetables (broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms) for variations.
- Lemon zest brightens up the dish and adds a fresh, citrusy note.
- Brown butter for an even richer and more complex flavor.
- Garlic confit for a milder garlic flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes