Creamy Garlic Pasta Fresh Parsley (Printable)
A luscious, velvety pasta dish with a rich garlic cream sauce and fresh parsley. An easy yet elegant meal for any night.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces fettuccine or spaghetti
02 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for pasta water)
→ Sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
05 - 5 large garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
10 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
11 - 1 small bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
12 - Additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large stockpot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then thoroughly drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, melt the unsalted butter with the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 1 to 2 minutes, until aromatic but without allowing it to brown.
03 - Carefully pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly reduce and thicken.
04 - Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Continue stirring until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth and homogeneous.
05 - Add the thoroughly drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss vigorously to ensure every strand is coated. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired creamy consistency.
06 - Stir in the majority of the finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, reserving a small amount for final garnish. Taste the pasta and adjust salt or pepper as needed to achieve perfect seasoning.
07 - Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with the remaining chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It&s astonishingly quick to whip up, even on your busiest nights.
- The rich, velvety sauce feels incredibly indulgent, making it taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
02 -
- Always reserve some pasta water; it&s a secret weapon for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Freshly grated Parmesan makes a monumental difference; pre&shredded often contains anti&caking agents that can make your sauce gritty.
03 -
- Don&t rush the garlic; gently sautéing it coaxes out the best flavor without any bitterness.
- Always add the pasta to the sauce, not the other way around; this ensures every noodle is perfectly coated.