The Best Ever Spaghetti with Garlic and Parmesan
A rich, creamy pasta dish featuring garlic, butter, and freshly grated Parmesan, tossed with al dente spaghetti for a comforting classic. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup, grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
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 and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
- Step 3: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat in the butter-garlic mixture. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 2-3 tbsp reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- Step 4: Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta. Serve immediately, passing extra Parmesan at the table.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Ever Spaghetti with Garlic and Parmesan 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 The Best Ever Spaghetti with Garlic and Parmesan?
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 The Best Ever Spaghetti with Garlic and Parmesan?
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 The Best Ever Spaghetti with Garlic and Parmesan 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 The Best Ever Spaghetti with Garlic and Parmesan?
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
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
