Description
This Garlic Bread Pasta recipe combines the comforting flavors of garlic butter pasta with the crispy, savory goodness of baked garlic bread topping. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it features spaghetti tossed in garlic-infused butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley, finished off with a crunchy garlic bread crumble baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 400 grams (14 oz) spaghetti
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 100 grams (7 tablespoons) butter
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 100 grams (1 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garlic Bread Topping
- 2 slices bread (preferably a baguette or Italian bread)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling on bread)
- Minced garlic (from the 4 cloves listed above, portioned for bread)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste (for bread topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare Garlic Bread Topping: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Drizzle olive oil over the bread slices, sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Place on a baking tray and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the bread becomes golden and crispy. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Toss Pasta in Garlic Butter: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the garlic butter. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Add Parsley and Parmesan: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly. Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish.
- Combine and Bake: Crumble the crispy garlic bread topping over the pasta in the baking dish. Bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5 to 10 minutes until heated through and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor and avoid burning it when sautéing.
- The garlic bread crumb topping can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- For extra richness, a splash of cream can be added to the butter garlic sauce.
