Best-Everyday Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Creamy, garlicky pasta with a velvety cheese sauce that's ready in 30 minutes, using only pantry staples. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, garlic cloves, and heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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
Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
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.
