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Best Creamy Garlic Pasta Recipe

Best Creamy Garlic Pasta Recipe

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Ingredients

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  • 12 oz (340g) Fettuccine or Linguine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook according to the package directions until it reaches “al dente” texture. Before draining, carefully scoop out about one cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and keep it warm. While the pasta cooks, mince your garlic cloves finely and grate your Parmesan cheese from a fresh block for the best melting results.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Once the butter starts to bubble, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir constantly to ensure the garlic turns a pale golden color without burning. Burning the garlic will make the sauce taste bitter, so keep a close eye on the heat level during this step.
  3. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it slightly thickens. Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese one handful at a time. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  4. Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the cream sauce. Use tongs to toss the noodles until every strand is evenly coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately in warm bowls while the sauce is at its peak creaminess.