The Best Spiced Pasta with Garlic and Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant pasta dish infused with warm spices, garlic, and fresh herbs for a comforting, aromatic meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic cloves 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.

★ 3.3 (8 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp ground coriander. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes until reduced by half.
  5. Step 5: Toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet and coat evenly with the spiced broth. Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and stir to combine.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately, topped with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does The Best Spiced Pasta with Garlic and Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Spiced Pasta with Garlic and Herbs?

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 Spiced Pasta with Garlic and Herbs?

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 Spiced Pasta with Garlic and Herbs 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 Spiced Pasta with Garlic and Herbs?

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.

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