Description
A quick, 15-minute dinner that transforms simple pantry staples into an impressive, rich, and garlicky pasta dish. Perfect for weeknights or impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Spaghetti or Linguine
- ½ cup (120ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 8–10 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (240ml) Heavy Cream
- 1 cup (100g) Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- ½ to 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Butter, cold (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Pasta Water (reserved from cooking)
Instructions
- Slice garlic thinly, measure cream, grate cheese, and chop parsley before starting to cook.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside (do not rinse).
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the oil. Cook gently for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Pour in heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it slightly reduces and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually add grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Stir in chopped parsley and swirl in cold butter if using.
- Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
[‘Slice garlic thinly rather than mincing to prevent burning and ensure even toasting.’, ‘Keep heat at medium-low when cooking garlic to avoid bitterness.’, ‘Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy.’, ‘Save pasta water; the starch helps bind the sauce.’, ‘Use room temperature cream to prevent separation.’, ‘This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: creamy garlic pasta, aglio e olio, quick dinner, weeknight meals, pasta recipes, Italian comfort food, 15 minute meals