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5 Ingredient Garlic Parmesan Pasta in a skillet with freshly grated Parmesan and minced garlic

5 Ingredient Garlic Parmesan Pasta

A creamy and buttery garlic Parmesan pasta made with just five simple pantry ingredients, ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz pasta penne, spaghetti, or fettuccine
  • 4 cloves garlic freshly minced
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese do not use pre-shredded
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water scooped out before draining

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or tongs
  • Box grater

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out at least 1 cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it foams. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just barely golden. Do not let it brown.
  3. Pour in half a cup of reserved pasta water and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low. Add Parmesan cheese a small handful at a time, stirring continuously after each addition until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Always use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Add cheese gradually over low heat to prevent graininess. Leftovers reheat well in a skillet with a splash of water or milk.