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Easy Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta with Parmesan

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A quick and comforting pasta dish featuring a silky garlic butter and Parmesan sauce that clings perfectly to fettuccine. This recipe balances rich flavors with a gentle garlic warmth for a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or your favorite long pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of fettuccine and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the finely minced garlic and gently cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and soft but not browned. Stir frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
  3. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and increase the heat slightly to medium. Stir constantly and bring the cream to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually stir in 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every strand with the creamy garlic butter and Parmesan sauce. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach desired consistency.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Be cautious with salt as Parmesan is salty.
  7. Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Keep heat low when cooking garlic to avoid bitterness. Add Parmesan off the heat to prevent grainy sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to pasta. Freshly grated Parmesan is key for smooth melting. Avoid overcooking pasta; aim for al dente.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic butter pasta, Parmesan pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, comfort food, garlic pasta, fettuccine recipe

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/easy-creamy-garlic-butter-pasta-with-parmesan-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/