Spaghetti Garlic Bread: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

Introduction

Spaghetti with garlic bread is a classic, comforting meal that’s both satisfying and easy to make. This recipe combines perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a flavorful garlic and Parmesan sauce, paired with warm, crispy garlic bread. It’s perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

• 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
• 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

1. Step 1: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of salt.
2. Step 2: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes), or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
3. Step 3: Drain the spaghetti in a colander.
4. Step 4: While the spaghetti is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden.
5. Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss to coat. Pour in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss again. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
6. Step 6: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
7. Step 7: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
8. Step 8: Slice the Italian bread lengthwise, creating two long halves.
9. Step 9: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both bread halves.
10. Step 10: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. Step 11: Place the garlic bread halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and the garlic butter is melted and bubbly.
12. Step 12: Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra crispy garlic bread. Watch carefully.
13. Step 13: Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing into individual pieces.
14. Step 14: Divide the spaghetti among individual plates.
15. Step 15: Sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of fresh parsley, if desired.
16. Step 16: Serve the spaghetti immediately with the warm, garlicky bread on the side.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, omit the red pepper flakes or replace with smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti to suit dietary needs without sacrificing taste.
• Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the pasta adds a bright, fresh finish.
• For extra cheesy garlic bread, sprinkle additional mozzarella or Parmesan before baking.

Storage

Store leftover spaghetti and garlic bread separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat spaghetti gently in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, and warm garlic bread in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to retain crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the garlic bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the garlic butter spread and assemble the bread a few hours before baking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake just before serving for best freshness.

What if I don’t have fresh parsley?

Feel free to substitute fresh parsley with dried parsley or other fresh herbs like basil or oregano. Use about one-third the amount of dried herbs since they are more concentrated.

Spaghetti Garlic Bread: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 74 reviews

This Spaghetti Garlic Bread recipe combines perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti tossed in a garlic-infused olive oil sauce with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, paired with homemade crispy and buttery garlic bread baked to golden perfection. A simple yet flavorful Italian-inspired meal that’s easy to make and perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. 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.
2. Cook Spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling salted water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes), or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Drain Spaghetti: Drain the spaghetti using a colander and set aside.
4. Sauté Garlic: While the spaghetti cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
5. Toss Spaghetti in Garlic Oil: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss well to coat the pasta. Pour in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss again to help the sauce cling. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired creamy consistency.
6. Add Parsley and Parmesan: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce coating the pasta.
7. Prepare Garlic Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything thoroughly to make the garlic butter spread.
8. Slice Bread: Slice the Italian bread lengthwise, creating two long halves to prepare for spreading.
9. Spread Garlic Butter: Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture onto the cut sides of both bread halves, covering evenly.
10. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the garlic bread.
11. Bake Garlic Bread: Place the garlic bread halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the garlic butter has melted and is bubbly.
12. Broil for Crispiness: For extra crispy garlic bread, switch the oven to broil and broil the bread for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
13. Cool and Slice Bread: Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly. Then slice into individual pieces suitable for serving.
14. Plate Spaghetti: Divide the garlic spaghetti evenly among individual plates.
15. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the plated spaghetti with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately alongside the warm, garlicky bread.

Notes

• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a smooth, creamy finish.
• Watch garlic carefully when sautéing and broiling to prevent burning.
• Garlic powder in the butter adds an extra layer of garlic flavor but is optional.
• You can use any sturdy Italian or French bread if Italian bread is unavailable.
• Red pepper flakes are optional and add a slight kick to the spaghetti sauce.
• Serve immediately for best texture and flavor, especially the garlic bread.

Keywords: spaghetti, garlic bread, Italian recipe, easy dinner, pasta with garlic, homemade garlic bread, family meal