Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Recipe
A creamy, flavorful Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti combines perfectly cooked al dente pasta with a rich sauce made from garlic, butter, olive oil, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this quick and comforting dish is ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Prepare the garlic sauce: In a large skillet, heat the unsalted butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden brown, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add cheese and pasta water: Lower the heat and add the grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and form a creamy sauce. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, stirring to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta with the cheesy garlic sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can become bitter and overpower the dish.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency; it helps the sauce cling to the spaghetti better.
- You can substitute mozzarella with another melting cheese like fontina or gouda for a different flavor.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream or milk when melting the cheese.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti.
Keywords: Cheesy garlic spaghetti, Parmesan pasta, garlic cheese sauce, easy spaghetti recipe, creamy pasta, Italian vegetarian pasta
