Description
This Spaghetti Garlic Bread recipe combines perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic-parsley Parmesan sauce with warm, crispy homemade garlic bread. It’s an easy, comforting Italian-inspired meal that serves six and is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
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 and cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Toss Pasta in Garlic Oil: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with garlic oil. Toss to coat. Pour about 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and toss again. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Finish Pasta Sauce: Stir in chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Toss until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, garlic powder if using, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Slice Bread: Slice the Italian bread lengthwise into two long halves.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both halves.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake Garlic Bread: Place the bread halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and the butter is melted and bubbly.
- Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispiness, broil the bread for 1-2 minutes at the end. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Cool and Slice Bread: Remove garlic bread from oven and let cool slightly before slicing into individual pieces.
- Plate Spaghetti: Divide spaghetti among individual plates.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired. Serve immediately alongside the warm garlic bread.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the spaghetti sauce consistency as needed.
- Use fresh garlic and parsley for the most vibrant flavor.
- Broiling the garlic bread at the end is optional but adds a delicious crispy texture.
- The red pepper flakes add a subtle kick but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Leftover garlic bread can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spaghetti, garlic bread, Italian recipe, pasta, homemade garlic bread, easy dinner, Parmesan, garlic, parsley
