Roasted Garlic Butter Pasta
Roasted Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 2 bulbs garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Separate the garlic cloves from the bulbs. Place the unpeeled cloves in a microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for 15 seconds. Immediately cover the container and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to loosen and remove the skins. Discard the skins.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a small saucepan or pot, combine the peeled garlic cloves and olive oil. Heat over medium-low heat, ensuring the oil gently simmers but does not fry the garlic. Cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are golden brown and very tender. Be careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 20 min
- 3
While the garlic is roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212
- 4
Once the roasted garlic is golden and tender, carefully transfer the garlic cloves (reserving the olive oil) to a blender. Add the softened unsalted butter, tomato paste, 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. The sauce should be a rich, orange hue.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
In a large serving bowl or back in the empty pasta pot, combine the drained spaghetti with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Toss thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta and toss again. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Roasted Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 2 bulbs garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Separate the garlic cloves from the bulbs. Place the unpeeled cloves in a microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for 15 seconds. Immediately cover the container and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to loosen and remove the skins. Discard the skins.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a small saucepan or pot, combine the peeled garlic cloves and olive oil. Heat over medium-low heat, ensuring the oil gently simmers but does not fry the garlic. Cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are golden brown and very tender. Be careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 20 min - 3
While the garlic is roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212 - 4
Once the roasted garlic is golden and tender, carefully transfer the garlic cloves (reserving the olive oil) to a blender. Add the softened unsalted butter, tomato paste, 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. The sauce should be a rich, orange hue.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
In a large serving bowl or back in the empty pasta pot, combine the drained spaghetti with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Toss thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta and toss again. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 2 min