Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Creamy, garlicky pasta with a velvety cheese sauce that's ready in 20 minutes, using only pantry staples. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, garlic cloves, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until golden and fragrant—do not brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 3/4 cup grated parmesan, then simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet, tossing until the pasta is evenly coated and glossy, about 2 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to pasta dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
