Roasted Garlic Pasta: 15 Minute Weeknight Dinner!

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Delight your palette with this delectably simple weeknight dinner – Roasted Garlic Pasta.

A four-ingredient pasta recipe, this meal can be whipped up in just 15 minutes.

Best of all, it’s a one-pot meal, meaning minimal clean-up is required.

Indulge in the creamy, buttery sauce that is teeming with the rich, roasted flavor of garlic.

This easy recipe transforms a few simple ingredients into a delectable and comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

The velvety texture of the roasted garlic sauce coats each strand of fettuccine, creating a dish that’s both elegant and satisfying.

This vegetarian pasta recipe is perfect for an easy midnight pasta fix or for a cozy dinner with your loved ones.

With simple yet high-quality ingredients, you can create a restaurant-worthy dish right in your own kitchen.

Let’s dive into the steps of creating this mouthwatering roasted garlic pasta.

Roasted Garlic Pasta Ingredients

These ingredients work harmoniously to create a delightful roasted garlic pasta, where each element plays a crucial role in the dish’s flavor and texture profile.

• Fettuccine: Fettuccine’s wide shape and texture help the creamy garlic sauce adhere to the pasta, ensuring a delightful combination of flavors in every bite.
• Garlic: Roasted garlic adds a mild, sweet depth that balances the richness of the dish, infusing a warm aroma that enhances the pasta experience.
• Butter: Unsalted butter creates a velvety base for the sauce, imparting a luxurious, smooth texture that complements the roasted garlic.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese contributes nutty richness, a hint of saltiness, and helps thicken the sauce for a satisfying coating.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Salt enhances flavors, while black pepper adds a subtle kick, enhancing the overall taste and complementing the roasted garlic’s sweetness.

How to make Roasted Garlic Pasta

Step 1: Roast the Garlic

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Slice the top off a head of garlic to expose the cloves.

• Place the garlic head on a piece of aluminum foil and drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil.
• Wrap the garlic in the aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until the cloves are soft and golden.

• Once roasted, allow the garlic to cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skins and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Fettuccine

• 1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt to the boiling water.
• 2. Add the fettuccine to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the fettuccine and set aside.

Note: Reserve a cup of the pasta water for the creamy garlic sauce.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

• 1. In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the roasted garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
• 2. Reduce the heat to low and add the grated parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and combined with the butter and garlic to form a creamy sauce.
• 3. Season the sauce with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Remember that the parmesan cheese is salty, so be cautious with the salt.

Step 4: Combine the Pasta and Sauce

• 1. Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the sauce.
• 2. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.

Step 5: Serve

• 1. Divide the creamy roasted garlic pasta among serving plates or bowls and garnish with extra grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper if desired.
• 2. Serve the pasta immediately while it’s still warm and enjoy!

Tips for Perfectly Roasted Garlic

• Pick Fresh Garlic: Choose firm bulbs with no sprouts or mold for the best flavor.
• Preheat Your Oven: Get your oven to 400°F (200°C) before roasting.
• Prep the Garlic Bulb: Slice off the top of the garlic bulb to expose the cloves.
• Oil it Up: Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the cloves for caramelization.
• Wrap It Tight and Seal: Wrap the bulb in foil to keep it moist and tender.
• Roast Time: Cook for 30-35 minutes until cloves are soft and golden.
• Check Doneness: Test tenderness with a fork; cloves should be creamy.
• Cool and Squeeze: Let it cool slightly, then gently squeeze cloves out.
• Store Leftover Roasted Garlic: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to a week or freeze.

Mastering these simple steps will give you beautifully roasted garlic, ready to elevate your creamy roasted garlic sauce to a whole new level of deliciousness!

Roasted Garlic Pasta Cooking Tips

By incorporating these cooking tips, you can elevate your roasted garlic pasta to a whole new level.

Remember, cooking is not just about following a recipe—it’s about understanding techniques and flavors, which empower you to make the dish truly your own.

Here are some additional tips and tricks to ensure your dish turns out flavorful and delicious:

• Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the cooked pasta, remember to reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water can be used to adjust the sauce’s consistency later.
• Melt the Butter Slowly: When melting the butter, do so over low to medium heat. This prevents it from browning or burning, which could affect the flavor of the sauce.
• Sauteeing Roasted Garlic: When sautéing the roasted garlic in butter, keep the heat low to avoid overcooking or burning the garlic. You want it to infuse the butter with its aromatic flavor without turning bitter.
• Adjusting the Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it out. Add a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.

Can I make the roasted garlic in advance?

Absolutely, you can prepare the roasted garlic in advance! In fact, it’s a great time saver for this dish or any recipe that requires roasted garlic. Once the garlic is roasted and cooled, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to three months.

When you’re ready to use it, just thaw it out (if frozen) and continue with the recipe as instructed. This step can help streamline your cooking process, especially on busy weeknights.

Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of roasting a whole head of garlic?

While pre-minced garlic is convenient and can save you some time, it won’t provide the same deep, sweet flavor that you get from roasting a whole head of garlic. Roasting garlic transforms it from sharp and pungent into something rich, sweet, and mellow.

My sauce turned out too thick. What can I do?

If your sauce turns out too thick, don’t worry – there’s a simple fix. Remember the pasta water you set aside after boiling the fettuccine? That starchy water is your secret weapon here. Gradually add the reserved pasta water to your sauce, stirring well after each addition.

Add it in small amounts until you reach your desired consistency. The starchy pasta water not only thins your sauce but also helps it cling to the pasta for an even tastier dish.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely, you can make this dish vegetarian. In fact, this creamy roasted garlic pasta recipe is already vegetarian-friendly as it does not include any meat or seafood. The recipe gets its rich flavor from the roasted garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese, none of which contain meat.

However, if you’re following a vegan diet, you’ll need to make some modifications, like using a dairy-free butter substitute and a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative.

Other Garlic Pasta to Try!

• Garlic Shrimp Pasta
• Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
• Shrimp Garlic-Lemon Pasta
• Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

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