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    Home » Cook » Easy Weeknight

    Published: Jul 25, 2021 by Slow The Cook Down

    Garlic Parmesan Pasta

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest graphic. Garlic parmesan spaghetti with text overlay.
    Pinterest graphic. Garlic parmesan spaghetti with text overlay.

    Garlicky and cheesy, this spaghetti is the most perfect comfort food! This garlic parmesan pasta recipe is great enjoyed by itself for a quick and easy dinner, or enjoy with your favorite sauces and meatballs.

    Garlic parmesan spaghetti in a blue bowl.

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy policy here.

    Hands up who's in the mood for comfort food! I guess there's never a bad time!

    This garlic parmesan pasta is the most perfect weeknight meal, and it is beautiful in it's simplicity. Delicious to serve as a main, but also a great way to add some flavor to your plate as a side.

    Be sure to try my Lemon Salmon Pasta and Vegan Lentil Bolognese too!

    Why you will love this recipe!

    • Simple ingredients: You only need 4 main ingredients to make this recipe, so you have no excuses!
    • Quick and easy: Ready to enjoy in 20 minutes, this is a great go to recipe after a long and busy day.
    Garlic parmesan spaghetti in a skillet topped with fresh parsley.

    Ingredients

    • Pasta: I like to use spaghetti for this dish. The parmesan and garlic stick to the long strands for one yummy bite.
    • Butter: Use salted butter, or, if you use unsalted, add a little salt to the skillet when you melt it. The butter adds a delicious rich flavor and silky texture. In a pinch, you can use a little oil instead.
    • Garlic: Roughly chop and slice the garlic rather than mincing it for a softer flavor.
    • Parmesan: Use freshly grated parmesan. It has a much better flavor than pre grated. Pre grated tends to be dry and can result in a grainy texture. It's worth the extra effort, I promise!

    How to make garlic parmesan pasta

    Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

    • Melt the butter and soften the garlic (photo 1).
    • Add in the cooked spaghetti and grated parmesan (photo 2).
    • Toss to combine with a little pasta water (photo 3).
    Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.
    Overhead shot of garlic parmesan spaghetti in a skillet.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this up in a bowl, top with some shaved parmesan, black pepper and fresh parsley and I am in heaven! For a fuller meal, it's great to serve as more of a side dish, try topping it with my bison meatballs or your favorite pasta sauce. Toss in some cooked shredded chicken or bacon for some additional protein.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the best pasta to use?

    I love to make this dish with spaghetti, or another long pasta like linguini will work well too. You can use shorter pastas like fusilli or penne if that's what you have to hand.

    Why do you have to save and add the pasta water?

    This is an easy way to add flavor and texture to your pasta. The water is salty and starchy, and helps the parmesan hold to the pasta. It also means that you don't have to add heavier liquids like cream or stock that can compete with the other flavors in the dish.

    I like to lift the spaghetti straight out of the boiling water and into a skillet with tongs, so you bring some water with it, then, as you toss it together add around another half cup until you get your desired texture.

    Can you make it ahead of time?

    Like most pastas, this is best enjoyed as soon as you've made it, but if you do have leftovers they will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a pot over a low medium heat, with a couple of tablespoons of water to warm through to serve.

    Overhead shot of the garlic parmesan spaghetti in a bowl.

    Recipe Variations

    This garlic parmesan pasta is so perfect in it's simplicity! To make this a vegetarian friendly dish, use a rennet free parmesan. Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice for a burst of flavor, or add in a little cream with the butter for more of a sauce.

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Cook the spaghetti in heavily salted water to add flavor.
    • Don't drain the spaghetti when it's finished cooking, add it straight from the pot into the garlic and butter, so you bring some of that lovely pasta water with it.
    • Melt the butter and start to soften the garlic as your pasta is cooking, so when it's ready, it can be added right in.
    Spaghetti in a skillet topped with shaved parmesan and fresh parsley.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Blue Cheese Pasta
    • Goats Cheese and Beef Pasta
    • Creamy Chicken Mushroom Pasta
    • Vegetarian Pasta Bake

    I love hearing from you!! If you have tried this garlic parmesan pasta, be sure to scroll down, give it a star rating and let me know what you thought!

    For more tasty treats, food inspiration and fun, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest – come say hi!

    Be sure to keep in touch and sign up to Slow The Cook Down to grab your free e-book ‘Stress Free Recipes Made For Sharing’

    Garlic spaghetti in a blue bowl topped with shaved parmesan.

    Garlic Parmesan Pasta

    Garlicky and cheesy, this spaghetti is the most perfect comfort food! This garlic parmesan pasta recipe is great enjoyed by itself for a quick and easy dinner, or enjoy with your favorite sauces and meatballs.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 2 main servings (4 as a side)
    Calories: 845kcal
    Author: Slow The Cook Down

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces spaghetti (225g)
    • ½ stick salted butter (4 tablespoons / 57g)
    • 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
    • freshly grated black pepper
    • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan (90g)
    • shaved parmesan and fresh parsley to garnish

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Do not drain the spaghetti
    • While the spaghetti is cooking, add the butter, chopped garlic and some black pepper to skillet and place on a medium heat. Allow the butter to melt. Stir occasionally so that the garlic softens.
    • Once the spaghetti is cooked, use tongs to remove it from the water and straight into the skillet with the garlic butter. This transfers some of the pasta water into the skillet which helps to create a light sauce.
    • Add the parmesan to the spaghetti and toss together to combine.
    • Ladle in some pasta water, a bit at a time, and toss together. Add around ½ cup of pasta water depending on the consistency you like.
    • Serve with shaved parmesan and fresh parsley.

    Notes

    • Cook the spaghetti in heavily salted water to add flavor.
    • Don't drain the spaghetti when it's finished cooking, add it straight from the pot into the garlic and butter, so you bring some of that lovely pasta water with it.
    • Melt the butter and start to soften the garlic as your pasta is cooking, so when it's ready, it can be added right in.
    • Nutritional values are an estimate and are for 2 large main servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 845kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 974mg | Potassium: 340mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1139IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 593mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @SlowTheCookDown or tag #SlowTheCookDown!
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