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Spaghetti with Garlic Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 94 reviews

This Spaghetti Garlic Bread recipe combines perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti tossed in a flavorful garlic, parsley, and Parmesan sauce with the irresistible aroma and taste of warm, buttery garlic bread. Ideal as a satisfying and easy weeknight dinner, this dish balances hearty pasta with crispy, cheesy garlic bread for a comforting meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti:

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 4 quarts water
  • 2 tablespoons salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garlic Bread:

  • 1 loaf Italian bread, about 24 inches long
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra garlic flavor)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Boil the Pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to season the water for the spaghetti.
  2. Cook Spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions, typically 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  3. Drain the Spaghetti: Pour the cooked spaghetti into a colander to drain off all the water.
  4. Sauté Garlic: While the spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden but not burnt.
  5. Toss Spaghetti with Garlic Oil: Add the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss to coat evenly. Pour in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss again. Gradually add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches the desired creamy consistency.
  6. Finish Pasta Sauce: Stir in chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese into the pasta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss until the cheese melts and coat the spaghetti well with the sauce.
  7. Prepare Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, mix together softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, and optional garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste and combine well.
  8. Slice Bread: Take the Italian bread loaf and slice it lengthwise into two long halves.
  9. Spread Garlic Butter: Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both bread halves.
  10. Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the garlic bread.
  11. Bake Garlic Bread: Place the bread halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the garlic butter has melted and become bubbly.
  12. Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy top, broil the garlic bread for an additional 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  13. Cool Garlic Bread: Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing it into individual pieces.
  14. Plate the Spaghetti: Divide the creamy garlic parmesan spaghetti among individual serving plates.
  15. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of fresh parsley on top of the spaghetti if desired. Serve immediately alongside the warm, crispy garlic bread.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
  • Red pepper flakes add a mild heat but can be omitted for a milder dish.
  • Use fresh garlic and parsley for optimal flavor.
  • Watch the garlic closely while sautéing to avoid burning, which makes it bitter.
  • Broiling the garlic bread at the end boosts crispiness but requires close attention to prevent burning.
  • Leftover garlic bread can be reheated in a toaster oven to retain crispiness.
  • Substitute Italian bread with French baguette or ciabatta if preferred.

Keywords: spaghetti garlic bread, easy pasta recipe, garlic bread, Italian dinner, quick weeknight meal, Parmesan spaghetti, garlic butter bread

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/spaghetti-with-garlic-bread-recipe/