Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Pasta with Fresh Basil
Al dente spaghetti coated in a velvety sauce made from fresh garlic, Parmesan, and basil, ready in 25 minutes without a single cream ingredient. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 510 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup pasta water
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tsp salt and 12 oz spaghetti, stirring immediately to prevent sticking. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 2 minutes until golden but not browned, stirring constantly.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil to the skillet and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats every strand and the texture is creamy.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil for garnish.








