Socks5 Spaghetti

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A creamy, garlicky pasta dish with a hint of heat, finished with fresh basil and Parmesan for a comforting weeknight meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (add 1 tsp salt to the water). Cook 12 oz spaghetti for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet, tossing to coat. Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then cook for 1 minute until the sauce clings to every strand of pasta.