Spaghetti with Garlic Bread Recipe

Introduction

Spaghetti Garlic Bread combines classic pasta with irresistibly flavorful garlic bread for a comforting meal. This easy recipe brings together aromatic garlic, fresh parsley, and Parmesan cheese for a delightful dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.

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 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, 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 the cheese melts 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. Mix well.
8. Step 8: Slice the Italian bread lengthwise to create two long halves.
9. Step 9: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both bread halves.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. Step 11: Place the garlic bread halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden and the butter is melted and bubbly.
12. Step 12: For extra crispy garlic bread, broil for the last 1-2 minutes while watching carefully.
13. Step 13: Remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing.
14. Step 14: Divide the spaghetti among 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 warm, garlicky bread on the side.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting texture.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
• For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
• Toast the garlic bread under the broiler at the end for extra crispiness but watch closely to prevent burning.

Storage

Store leftover garlic bread wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Cooked spaghetti with sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.

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 mixture and spread it on the bread in advance. Store the bread wrapped in plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

What can I use instead of Italian bread?

French baguette or any sturdy bread with a crusty exterior works well as a substitute. Just ensure it’s thick enough to hold the garlic butter without becoming soggy.

Spaghetti with Garlic Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 85 reviews

This Spaghetti Garlic Bread recipe combines perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a fragrant garlic and olive oil sauce with crispy, buttery homemade garlic bread. The spaghetti is flavored with fresh parsley, Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes, while the garlic bread features a rich blend of butter, garlic, Parmesan, and herbs, baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a comforting and satisfying Italian-inspired meal ideal for sharing.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• 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 the pasta: 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 the spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
3. Drain the pasta: Drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside.
4. Sauté garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat 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 fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Toss spaghetti in garlic oil: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with garlic oil. Toss to coat evenly. Pour in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss again. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water one tablespoon at a time until you reach a creamy, desired consistency.
6. Add parsley and cheese: Stir in chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
7. 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 to taste. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
8. Slice bread: Cut the Italian bread lengthwise into two long halves.
9. Spread garlic butter: Generously spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of both bread halves ensuring even coverage.
10. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the garlic bread.
11. Bake the garlic bread: Place the bread halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the garlic butter is melted and bubbly.
12. Broil for crispiness: For extra crispy garlic bread, broil the bread for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
13. Cool and slice bread: Remove garlic bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing into individual pieces.
14. Plate the spaghetti: Divide the garlic oil spaghetti among individual plates.
15. Garnish: Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of fresh parsley over the spaghetti if desired.
16. Serve: Serve the spaghetti immediately alongside the warm, garlicky bread for a delicious, comforting meal.

Notes

• You can substitute Italian bread with French baguette if needed.
• Adjust red pepper flakes amount or omit for less heat.
• Reserve pasta water is key to achieving a silky sauce consistency.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and omit Parmesan cheese.
• Use fresh garlic for the best flavor impact in both pasta and bread.

Keywords: spaghetti garlic bread, garlic butter bread, Italian garlic bread, spaghetti recipe, easy garlic pasta, homemade garlic bread