Seven-Ingredient Quick Garlic Pasta
A fast and flavorful pasta dish with garlic and simple ingredients, delivering a satisfying meal with minimal fuss. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 17 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, olive oil, large, thinly sliced garlic cloves 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 pasta
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 5 large, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp for pasta water salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add 5 large thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, sauté for 2-3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic oil along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and coat pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Toss again until cheese melts and coats the pasta.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with extra parmesan if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Seven-Ingredient Quick Garlic Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 Seven-Ingredient Quick Garlic 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 pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Seven-Ingredient Quick Garlic 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 Seven-Ingredient Quick Garlic 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.
Is Seven-Ingredient Quick Garlic Pasta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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