Spaghetti with Garlic Parmesan Bread Recipe
This Spaghetti Garlic Bread recipe combines perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti tossed in a simple yet flavorful garlic-parsley Parmesan sauce with warm, crispy homemade garlic bread. It’s an easy and delicious meal that pairs the comfort of classic Italian flavors with a satisfying garlic butter bread, ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the 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
- Boil Water: 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.
- Cook Spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes), or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the spaghetti in a colander, setting it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: While the spaghetti cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden.
- Toss Spaghetti in Garlic Oil: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with garlic oil. Toss well to coat. Pour in about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, tossing to combine. Add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Add Parsley and Cheese: Stir in chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue tossing until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, mix together softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and optional garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste and combine thoroughly.
- Slice Bread: Cut the Italian bread lengthwise into two long halves to prepare for spreading.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 375°F (190°C).
- Bake Garlic Bread: Place the garlic bread halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the garlic butter is melted and bubbly.
- Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispy garlic bread, broil the bread for an additional 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Cool and Slice Bread: Remove bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing into individual pieces for serving.
- Plate Spaghetti: Divide the garlic-infused spaghetti among individual plates.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan and a pinch of fresh parsley on top as desired. Serve the spaghetti immediately with the warm garlic bread on the side.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water is crucial for creating a creamy sauce without adding extra oil or butter.
- Red pepper flakes are optional, add them for a subtle heat.
- Use fresh garlic and parsley for best flavor in both spaghetti and garlic bread.
- Watch the bread carefully during broiling to prevent burning as it can crisp quickly.
- This garlic bread can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.
Keywords: spaghetti, garlic bread, Italian recipe, easy dinner, garlic pasta, homemade garlic bread