Description
This creamy pasta with garlic and Parmesan sauce is a quick and delicious meal perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta noodles of any shape: spaghetti, bucatini, penne, riagotni, cavatappi, etc.
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Start a pot of well salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until it is just al dente (start tasting a few minutes before the package recommends: you want it to be tender but still a little firm on the inside; usually around 7 to 8 minutes). Drain.
- Meanwhile, measure out all ingredients in advance; the cooking process happens fast!
- Right after you add the pasta to the pot, start the sauce: In a small or medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the grated garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to 90 seconds, until bubbly and golden. Do not overcook it: the flour can turn brown within a few seconds. Keep an eye on it!
- Add a splash of milk and whisk it in: the sauce will instantly turn chunky. Constantly whisking, continue to add splashes of milk and whisk them in until the entire quantity is incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- Reduce the heat and whisk until the sauce thickens and no longer tastes like raw flour, about 5 minutes. Add the salt and Parmesan cheese. Taste and add a pinch or two more salt if desired.
- Drain the pasta, then add the sauce. Add a splash or two of milk to loosen the sauce and stir until you have the right consistency. Taste and a few more pinches of salt, if necessary. (The sauce is best freshly made, so we don’t recommend making it in advance). Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- The sauce is best when made fresh, as it can become thick if made in advance.
- Feel free to adjust the type of pasta or cheese based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg