Spaghetti with Garlic Bread Recipe
A delightful combination of perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a garlicky Parmesan sauce served alongside warm, crispy Italian garlic bread. This Spaghetti Garlic Bread recipe blends tender pasta infused with olive oil, fresh garlic, and parsley with buttery, cheesy garlic bread baked to golden perfection. A comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
- Boil Water and Salt: 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 thoroughly.
- Cook Spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain Spaghetti: Drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: While the spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Toss Spaghetti in Garlic Oil: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with garlic oil. Toss to coat evenly. Pour in about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and toss again to incorporate. Add more pasta water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Add Parsley and Parmesan: Stir in chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue tossing until cheese melts and sauce becomes creamy.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder if using. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
- Slice Bread: Slice the Italian bread lengthwise, creating two long halves.
- Spread Garlic Butter on Bread: Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of both bread halves.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake Garlic Bread: Place garlic bread halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and the garlic butter is melted and bubbly.
- Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispy bread, broil the garlic bread for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Cool and Slice Garlic Bread: Remove garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing into individual pieces.
- Plate Spaghetti: Divide the spaghetti evenly among individual plates.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of fresh parsley over the spaghetti if desired. Serve immediately alongside the warm garlicky bread.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; it helps the sauce cling to the spaghetti.
- Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- For an extra punch of garlic flavor, use garlic powder in the garlic butter spread.
- Watch the garlic bread carefully while broiling to avoid burning.
- You can use a baguette if Italian bread is unavailable, but a longer loaf works best for generous slices.
Keywords: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Italian Recipe, Pasta, Garlic Butter Bread, Parmesan