Description
Delightful creamy pasta delves into Italian culinary traditions with rich, silky sauce and perfectly al dente noodles. Comfort and elegance merge in this simple yet sophisticated dish you’ll savor with pure Mediterranean joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk (optional for thinning)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil Preparation: Activate a spacious pot with salted water over high heat, bringing to a vigorous boil for pasta cooking.
- Pasta Cooking: Immerse pasta into boiling water, preparing according to package instructions until achieving a perfectly tender yet firm al dente texture.
- Liquid Preservation: Drain pasta while reserving a half cup of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce modification.
- Butter Foundation: Melt butter in a broad skillet over medium heat, allowing it to transform into a delicate, foamy consistency.
- Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic to the butter, sautéing briefly to release its fragrant essence, approximately 30 seconds.
- Cream Integration: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, blending with Italian seasoning to create a harmonious liquid foundation.
- Sauce Development: Simmer the mixture gently, stirring intermittently, until it gradually thickens and develops a luxurious texture.
- Cheese Incorporation: Reduce heat, gradually fold in Parmesan cheese, stirring consistently to ensure a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Seasoning Adjustment: Enhance the sauce with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tailoring to individual taste preferences.
- Consistency Refinement: Modify sauce density by introducing reserved pasta water or milk, achieving a silky, elegant texture.
- Pasta Coating: Gently fold cooked pasta into the cream sauce, ensuring comprehensive coverage and flavor absorption.
- Flavor Melding: Allow pasta to rest in the sauce for 1-2 minutes, enabling complete flavor integration.
- Final Flourish: Optionally sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle heat element and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serving Presentation: Plate immediately, accompanying with an additional Parmesan cheese dusting for enhanced richness.
Notes
- Manage Pasta Texture: Cook pasta precisely al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a perfect bite and optimal sauce absorption.
- Control Sauce Thickness: Use reserved pasta water strategically to adjust sauce consistency, creating a silky smooth texture without becoming too runny or heavy.
- Prevent Cheese Clumping: Add Parmesan gradually and reduce heat to low when incorporating, stirring consistently to achieve a smooth, seamless integration without grainy or separated cheese.
- Elevate Flavor Depth: Toast garlic briefly to unlock its aromatic potential and enhance overall dish complexity, avoiding burning which can create bitter undertones.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 742
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 405 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 31 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg