Garlic Bread Pasta Recipe (25-Minutes)
Garlic Bread Pasta is a delightful fusion of two comfort food favorites: garlic bread and pasta. This easy-to-make dish features al dente pasta tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with Parmesan and fresh parsley.It’s perfect as a main dish or a side and can be customized with proteins like chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pasta cavatappi, or your favorite pasta variety
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional:
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for spice
- Cooked chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms (optional protein)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain the rest.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the olive oil and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant (about 1–2 minutes). Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Toss the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Add Parmesan and Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes on top. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.