Description
Mouthwatering garlic pasta delivers rich, silky comfort straight from Italian kitchens. Creamy sauce and perfectly cooked noodles create a simple yet luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup whole milk
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water pot to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving a small portion of starchy liquid before draining completely.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a spacious skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped garlic until fragrant, approximately one minute, being cautious not to burn.
- Sauce Creation: Pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet, whisking in Parmesan cheese. Enhance with salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop complex flavors.
- Combining Elements: Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy garlic sauce, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated. Adjust sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water if needed, creating a silky, clingy texture.
- Final Flourish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot, maximizing the dish’s rich, creamy essence.
Notes
- Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic on medium heat and stir constantly to avoid bitter, burnt flavor. Remove from heat if it starts to brown quickly.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce thickness. Add gradually to prevent watery or overly thick sauce.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer taste compared to pre-packaged cheese. Grate just before adding to maximize flavor intensity.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with lactose-free cream or half-and-half for sensitive diets. Use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly version without compromising creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg