Garlic Pasta Flavorful Dish (Print Version)
A fragrant pasta dish featuring garlic sautéed in olive oil, finished with parsley and Parmesan cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz spaghetti or linguine
→ Sauce
02 - 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Finishings
07 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
09 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic.
03 - Stir in the red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper briefly to combine.
04 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the garlic oil. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is achieved.
05 - Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and lemon zest if using. Toss well and serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It feels like a secret handshake with friends who appreciate simple but rich flavors
- The balance of garlic and Parmesan quickly became my go-to comfort food on busy evenings
02 -
- Never let the garlic brown too much or it will taste bitter and ruin the dish
- Adding reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling perfectly without drying out
03 -
- Use a wooden spoon to toss the pasta gently without breaking the strands
- Timing the garlic so it’s just golden unlocks a sweet aromatic flavor that’s key to this dish