Creamy Garlic Pasta Delight
Silky spaghetti twirled in a rich garlic-cream sauce, showered with Parmesan and fresh parsley. Fast, cozy, and weeknight-friendly.
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Servings:
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz dried spaghetti
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tsp fresh garlic, finely minced
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup starchy pasta water, reserved
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 tsp finely grated lemon zest optional
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just shy of al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Warm olive oil and melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook gently until fragrant, 1–2 minutes; do not brown.
- Pour in chicken broth and simmer until slightly reduced, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and simmer until the sauce lightly thickens, 3–4 minutes, stirring often.
- Lower the heat. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle in Parmesan a handful at a time, tossing until glossy and smooth.
- Splash in reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your liking.
- Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Finish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Variation: Stir in sautéed mushrooms or cooked chicken, or swap vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. For a brighter finish, add a squeeze of lemon before serving. Leftovers keep 2–3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or cream.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Creamy Garlic Pasta Delight flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.