Description
A simple and delicious garlic parmesan spaghetti recipe, perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Begin by cooking the pasta in salted water until al dente. Before draining, be sure to scoop out at least ¾ cup of the starchy pasta water—this will help create that silky sauce.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant. Be careful not to brown it—burnt garlic can turn bitter.
- Create the Sauce: Lower the heat and slowly add the reserved pasta water to the garlic butter. Stir it gently—it may bubble a bit at first.
- Add the Parmesan: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan, whisking continuously until a smooth, creamy sauce forms. It should lightly coat the back of a spoon.
- Toss Everything Together: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gently toss to combine, making sure every strand is coated in that luscious garlic parmesan sauce. Taste and season with a pinch of salt or black pepper if needed.
- Serve Warm: Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top or a sprinkle of chopped parsley if you have it on hand.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to your preference.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding cooked chicken or shrimp.
- Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg