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To make a delightful Garlic Parmesan Pasta, gather these simple ingredients: - 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 cup heavy cream - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - Zest of 1 lemon (for a fresh twist) Each ingredient plays a key role in creating rich flavors. The pasta serves as the base, while butter adds creaminess. Garlic gives a punchy taste, and red pepper flakes add warmth. Parmesan cheese makes the dish rich and savory, while heavy cream smooths it out. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Fresh parsley and lemon zest brighten the dish, making it more appealing. For the full recipe, check out the detailed steps to create this dish perfectly! To start, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a good amount of salt. This helps flavor the pasta. Next, add 12 oz of spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook it until it is al dente, which means it should be firm but not hard. Follow the package instructions for timing. After cooking, save 1 cup of the pasta water. This water is starchy and helps the sauce blend later. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it. Rinsing washes away the flavor. Now, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt. Once melted, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes. You want the garlic to smell great, not brown. Browning can make it bitter. Keep an eye on it. Stir gently and enjoy the aroma as it fills your kitchen. Lower the heat and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well and let it simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes. This thickens the sauce a bit. Next, gradually add 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until it melts completely. If the sauce gets too thick, use some of that reserved pasta water. Add it slowly, mixing well until you reach the right creamy texture. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss it well to coat every strand in that rich garlic Parmesan sauce. This step is crucial for flavor. Season with salt, pepper, and a little lemon zest to brighten the dish. Taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. You want a perfect balance. When ready to serve, remove the skillet from the heat. You can garnish with fresh chopped parsley and more Parmesan cheese if you like. For a fun twist, add some lemon zest for freshness. This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or a light white wine. Enjoy your delicious Garlic Parmesan Pasta! For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above. To make the best Garlic Parmesan Pasta, focus on two key areas: garlic and flavor. Preventing garlic from burning: Burnt garlic can ruin your dish. To avoid this, cook it over medium heat. Stir it often and watch it closely. Once it turns fragrant, it’s ready. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes. Enhancing flavor with additional ingredients: You can add a few simple items to boost flavor. Try mixing in fresh herbs like basil or thyme. You can also add spinach for a pop of color and nutrition. Lemon zest adds brightness to the dish, too. Caloric breakdown per serving: Each serving of Garlic Parmesan Pasta has about 600 calories. This includes the pasta, butter, cream, and cheese. It’s rich, but oh so good! Healthier ingredient swaps: If you want a lighter meal, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or milk. Choose whole-grain pasta for extra fiber. You can also use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a dairy-free option. For more details, see the Full Recipe for Garlic Parmesan Pasta. {{image_2}} You can easily add spinach and mushrooms to your Garlic Parmesan Pasta. Spinach gives color and nutrients. Mushrooms add a rich, earthy taste. Here’s how to do it: - How to incorporate greens: Start by washing fresh spinach. Add it to the skillet just after sautéing garlic. Cook until it wilts, then mix in the pasta. This adds a fresh touch and great flavor. - Cooking methods for mushrooms: Slice your mushrooms thin. Sauté them in the same skillet before adding garlic. Cook until they are golden brown. This brings out their flavor and gives a nice texture. Adding protein can make your meal heartier. Grilled chicken or shrimp works great. Here’s how to add them: - Adding grilled chicken or shrimp: Cook the protein separately. Season it with salt and pepper. After mixing the pasta and sauce, add the cooked chicken or shrimp. Toss everything to combine well. - Vegetarian protein sources: For a meat-free option, use chickpeas or tofu. Cook them until golden. Mix them in with the pasta for extra protein. Both options are tasty and filling. If you need to avoid gluten, there are great options available. You can still enjoy this dish with a few changes: - Gluten-free pasta options: Look for gluten-free spaghetti or fettuccine. Many brands use rice or quinoa. Cook them as you would regular pasta for the best results. - Modifications for dietary needs: If you want a lighter dish, use cauliflower or zucchini noodles. Spiralize zucchini for a fun twist. This also makes the dish lower in carbs. For the full recipe, check out the main article! To keep your Garlic Parmesan Pasta fresh, use airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers work well. Store the pasta in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it. In the freezer, it can last for about two months. Just remember, the sauce may change texture when frozen. For reheating, the best way is to use a skillet. Heat it over low heat and add a splash of water or cream. This helps to keep the pasta moist. Stir often to avoid sticking. If you use a microwave, cover the dish with a damp paper towel. This will prevent the sauce from drying out. Always check that it’s warm all the way through before serving. I love using spaghetti or fettuccine for Garlic Parmesan Pasta. These types hold sauce well. Spaghetti gives a nice twirl, while fettuccine offers a flat surface for the sauce. Both are great choices for this dish. Yes, you can prep Garlic Parmesan Pasta ahead of time. Cook the pasta and store it in the fridge. You can also prepare the sauce and keep it separate. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat and combine. This saves time on busy nights. To add heat, use red pepper flakes. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your taste. You can also add fresh chopped chili. This gives the dish a nice kick without overpowering the garlic flavor. If you want a lighter option, use whole milk or a non-dairy milk. You can also use Greek yogurt for creaminess. Blend it well to keep the sauce smooth. These substitutes work well and still taste great. Check the pasta a minute before the package time ends. It should be firm but not hard when bitten. Look for a slight white dot in the center. This means it’s just right for your dish. In this blog post, I shared how to make Garlic Parmesan Pasta from scratch. We covered all the important ingredients, cooking tips, and serving options. You learned to cook pasta perfectly and create a creamy sauce. Remember, you can customize flavors with extras like greens or proteins. Storing and reheating leftovers is easy too. Enjoy this dish for its rich taste and quick prep. With practice, you'll master it and delight everyone at your table. Happy cooking!

- Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Indulge in the rich flavors of Garlic Parmesan Pasta with this easy, mouthwatering recipe! Perfectly cooked spaghetti or fettuccine is tossed in a creamy garlic sauce, enhanced with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon zest. Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish will impress your family and friends. Click through for the full recipe and create a delicious meal in just 25 minutes!
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Ingredients
  

12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Zest of 1 lemon (for a fresh twist)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the spaghetti or fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.

    Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

      Make the Sauce: Lower the heat and add the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.

        Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.

          Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly with the garlic Parmesan sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest to enhance flavor.

            Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

              Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4