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Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ines Kitchen
The most delicious Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes. This easy Garlic Butter Spaghetti is the ultimate budget friendly dinner idea. Featuring tender noodles tossed in a savory sauce made with butter, minced garlic, heavy cream, and plenty of shredded parmesan cheese. It makes a perfect quick side dish for grilled chicken or a hearty vegetarian main meal on its own. This simple comfort food recipe is a family favorite that picky eaters will request again and again.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces pasta spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, or penne
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1½ cups finely grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon salt optional and to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley optional
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
  • Lemon zest or a small squeeze of lemon juice optional

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta.
  • In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  • Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and warm through without boiling.
  • Add parmesan a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until melted and smooth.
  • If the sauce is thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until it’s silky and coats the back of a spoon.
  • Add drained pasta back to the pot. Toss for 1 minute until well coated.
  • Season with black pepper. Taste, then add salt only if needed.
  • Finish with parsley, red pepper flakes, extra parmesan, and optional lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

Suggestion: Freshly grated parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Keep the heat low once the cream and cheese go in. Boiling can cause the sauce to separate.
Leftovers: Reheat with a splash of milk or broth to bring the sauce back to a creamy texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 16gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 420mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g