Name: Amazing Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti in 15 Mins
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound spaghetti; 1/2 cup butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; Salt and black pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Oh, this Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti! It’s one of those dishes that just makes me happy. Seriously, it’s so simple, but the flavor is just out of this world. It’s the kind of meal I can whip up on a busy weeknight when I’m craving something comforting and delicious, but don’t have a ton of time. It feels fancy enough for company, but it’s so easy you’ll want to make it all the time. I’ve loved this classic for ages, and it never disappoints!

Why You'll Love This Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Seriously, this recipe is a total winner! You’ll adore it because:

It’s lightning-fast to make – perfect for those crazy weeknights!
You probably already have most of the simple ingredients in your pantry.
The flavor combo of garlic, Parmesan, and butter is just pure comfort food magic.
It’s super versatile; you can easily jazz it up or keep it simple.

Gather Your Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Alright, let’s get everything ready! For this amazing Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti, you’ll need some really simple things. Grab a pound of good quality spaghetti – whatever brand you love is perfect. Then, you’ll want about half a cup of unsalted butter. Make sure it’s softened a bit so it mixes in beautifully. We’ll need four cloves of garlic, and you want to mince them up nice and fine. Fresh garlic makes all the difference, trust me! For that cheesy goodness, get half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. None of that pre-shredded stuff that’s coated in anti-caking agents, okay? Freshly grated melts so much better. And for a pop of freshness, a quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped up small. Finally, just have your salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper ready to go. Using fresh, good-quality ingredients really makes this dish sing!

Ingredient Notes and Possible Substitutions

A little note on the butter: I always go for unsalted because it lets me control the saltiness of the dish better. If you only have salted butter, just cut back a bit on the added salt later. And for the parsley, fresh is definitely best here – it adds this bright, herby flavor that dried just can’t match, though if you’re in a pinch, you can use about a tablespoon of dried parsley. Oh, and don’t skimp on the Parmesan! A good quality Parmigiano-Reggiano will give you the best flavor. If you like a little kick, feel free to toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic – it’s a game-changer!

How to Prepare Your Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Okay, let’s get this deliciousness made! It’s super straightforward, I promise. First things first, get a big pot of salted water boiling for your spaghetti. Once it’s bubbling away, add your pound of spaghetti and cook it according to the package directions, but here’s the key: cook it until it’s just *al dente*. That means it should still have a tiny bit of a bite to it, not be mushy. While the pasta is doing its thing, melt that half cup of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. We’re not trying to brown it, just melt it gently.

Now, for the magic! Add your finely minced garlic to the melted butter. Stir it around constantly for about a minute, just until you can smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be super careful here – garlic burns really fast, and burnt garlic tastes bitter, which is NOT what we want! You just want it fragrant and softened.

Once your pasta is cooked al dente, drain it really well. Don’t rinse it! That starchy water is actually your friend for making the sauce stick. Immediately add the drained spaghetti right into the skillet with the garlic butter. Now, toss it all together really well. Add in your freshly grated Parmesan cheese and that chopped fresh parsley. Keep tossing until the pasta is coated in that glorious, cheesy, garlicky goodness. It’ll start to look a little creamy as the cheese melts into the butter. Finally, taste it! Add salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper until it tastes perfect to you. Give it one last good toss and serve it up right away!

Perfecting the Garlic Base

When you’re cooking the garlic, really watch it like a hawk. You want it to get fragrant and maybe just a *tiny* bit golden, but never brown. If it starts to look even a little bit brown, take the pan off the heat immediately. Burnt garlic will ruin that lovely, delicate flavor we’re going for!

Tossing and Seasoning Your Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

After you drain the pasta, get it straight into that skillet with the garlic butter. Add the Parmesan and parsley, then toss, toss, toss! Use tongs to really lift and mix everything so every strand of spaghetti gets coated. The cheese will melt into the butter and create a lovely sauce that clings to the pasta. Now for the crucial part: taste it! Add salt and pepper until it’s just right. Don’t be shy with the pepper; it adds a nice little zing!

Tips for Success with Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Want this dish to be absolutely perfect every single time? A few little tricks go a long way! First, *always* cook your spaghetti until it’s just al dente. Mushy pasta is a culinary crime, honestly! Another golden rule? Reserve about a cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain the spaghetti. It’s like liquid gold for making the sauce silky. And please, please serve this right away! It’s at its absolute best when piping hot and freshly tossed. Don’t let all that garlicky, cheesy goodness sit around!

The Secret to Creamy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Here’s a little secret that makes a huge difference: that reserved pasta water! Before you drain your spaghetti, scoop out about half a cup. When you toss the pasta with the butter, garlic, and cheese, add a splash of this starchy water. It emulsifies with the butter and cheese, creating a wonderfully creamy, cohesive sauce that coats every strand beautifully. It’s magic!

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

This Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti is so versatile, it’s fantastic on its own, but it also plays really nicely with other dishes. For a complete meal, I love serving it alongside some simple grilled chicken or shrimp – the protein is a great addition! A big, fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is also a perfect counterpoint to the rich pasta. And you absolutely can’t go wrong with some crusty bread for soaking up any extra garlicky, cheesy goodness left on the plate. It’s just simple, delicious comfort!

Storing and Reheating Your Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let your Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti cool down completely, then stash it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for about 2-3 days. To reheat, I find the best way is on the stovetop. Toss the cold pasta in a skillet with a tiny splash of water or olive oil over medium-low heat, stirring gently until it’s heated through and creamy again. Microwaving works too, just stir halfway through!

Frequently Asked Questions about Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Got some burning questions about this easy pasta recipe? I’ve got you covered!

Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh? You sure can! While fresh parsley gives a brighter flavor, about a tablespoon of dried parsley will work in a pinch. Just add it with the garlic so it has a chance to rehydrate a bit.

How can I make this dish richer? For an even richer flavor, try using a good quality unsalted butter and don’t be afraid to add a little extra Parmesan cheese! Also, that splash of reserved pasta water is key for creating a creamy sauce.

Can I add vegetables to this? Absolutely! This is a fantastic base for adding veggies. Sauté some chopped broccoli florets, spinach, or mushrooms with the garlic. You could even toss in some cherry tomatoes towards the end. It’s a great way to make a quick dinner even more wholesome!

What other pasta shapes work well? While spaghetti is classic, this garlic Parmesan sauce is also delicious with linguine, fettuccine, or even shorter shapes like penne or rotini. Just cook your chosen pasta until al dente!

Share Your Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Creations

I just LOVE seeing how you all make this Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti your own! Did you add some chicken? Try it with a different pasta? Snap a picture and share it in the comments below, or tag me on social media. I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!