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Heavenly Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Warm spaghetti gets mixed with a dreamy sauce made from parmesan, cream cheese, fresh cream, and garlic. Some Italian herbs sprinkle flavor, and you can even toss in a bit of chili if you’re into it. Everything melts together into a cozy, cheesy bowl with a silky touch. Throw on plenty of parsley to brighten it up. Grab it hot for laid-back pasta nights. This one’s super easy and ready in just about 25 minutes. Want more flavor? Add some mushrooms, cooked chicken, or shrimp. Just eat it fresh off the stove!

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Barbara Chef
Updated on Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:32:06 GMT
A white plate piled with spaghetti, cheese, and plenty of parmesan and garlic on top. Highlight
A white plate piled with spaghetti, cheese, and plenty of parmesan and garlic on top. | cookwithcarla.com

If you're craving that cheesy, garlicky Italian comfort but don't want to spend ages in the kitchen, this cozy Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti is what you need. Toss together simple staples and get a steaming bowl on your table in under half an hour. Perfect for happy post-work dinners where everyone leaves the table full and grinning.

This quickly became my go-to save for last-minute pasta cravings, and now my family always asks for it at least once a week. Total hit.

Ingredients

  • Fresh ground black pepper and salt: For max flavor, go with a grinder if you have it
  • Chili flakes (optional): Like a little kick? Add freshly crushed chili at the end
  • Butter: Starts the sauce off rich and creamy Make sure it's unsalted and super fresh
  • Cream cheese: Adds even more creaminess Let it come to room temp so it's easier to mix in
  • Spaghetti: Pick a good quality for best bite The noodles soak up all that sauce
  • Fresh garlic: Gives the sauce a big flavor punch Use fresh, never dried
  • Fresh chopped parsley: Sprinkle on at the very end for a burst of color and freshness
  • Heavy cream: Makes everything rich Go for full-fat cream if you can
  • Shredded parmesan (fresh): Can't skip this Fresh grated melts smooth and tastes way better
  • Italian herbs: Hits it with Mediterranean aroma Go for blends with no salt added

Step-by-step guide

Finish and plate:
Twirl the pasta into bowls Top with parsley and, if you're like me, another handful of parmesan Best when you dig in right away
Add pasta to sauce:
Toss the spaghetti right into the pan Slowly drizzle in a bit of pasta water as you mix so the sauce gets silky Stir with tongs or forks, season with salt and black pepper
Add cheese and spices:
Now toss in grated parmesan, some Italian herbs, and chili flakes if you're feeling it Stir a few minutes until the sauce gets a bit thicker
Make creamy sauce:
Turn the heat down Pour in the cream, drop in the cream cheese, and stir gently as the cheese melts and you get a smooth sauce
Start the flavor base:
Melt butter in a big pan over medium Heat Let chopped garlic sizzle but don't let it brown—just until your kitchen smells amazing
Cook the noodles:
Boil a pot of salted water Drop in the spaghetti and cook as the package says—al dente is key Before draining, grab a cup of pasta water Save the drained noodles for later
A white plate served with a helping of Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti. Highlight
A white plate served with a helping of Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti. | cookwithcarla.com

Good things to know

This one's ultra cheesy, super creamy, and totally fit for a dinner party Pasta leftovers keep well in the fridge—you can warm 'em up next day and they're still comfort on a plate That nutty parmesan gives any sauce a lift Last time we made Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti for a family birthday and everyone wanted the how-to card to take home

Storing and leftovers

Got extra? Seal the spaghetti up tight and stash it in the fridge for up to two days When you reheat, splash in a bit of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life It's almost as tasty as day one

Mix it up

This is one of those meals you can totally riff on Need more veggies? Go for broccoli, zucchini, or spinach Meaty mood? Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed mushrooms But honestly, use good cheese—makes all the difference

How to serve

This dish shines as a main for a cozy weeknight Sit down with a glass of white wine, or add a crisp green salad and fresh baguette You can even serve these noodles cold for a chill summer buffet

Story and background

Pasta loaded with garlic and cheese is a forever hit in Italian-inspired kitchens This creamy take is more American-style, just right for nights you want something fast Everybody in my crew has a soft spot for pasta drowning in parmesan

Recipe FAQs

→ How can I make the sauce extra smooth?

The key is to let the cream cheese melt in gently without cranking up the heat. If your sauce’s too thick, a splash of pasta water loosens it up just right.

→ Is it cool to use other kinds of pasta?

Of course! Go for penne, linguine, or even tagliatelle—as long as you cook them with a little bite left.

→ What can I add to take this dish up a notch?

Mix in sautéed mushrooms, leftover chicken, or even shrimp. They add more heartiness and switch up the flavors.

→ What's the best way to keep leftovers?

Stick any extras in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be great for about two days. When reheating, drop in a splash of cream or milk to get that creaminess back.

→ How can I swap parmesan for a full vegetarian meal?

Switch to a veggie hard cheese since real parmesan usually has animal rennet.

Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti

Velvety spaghetti coated in a smooth parmesan and garlic sauce – a quick, cheesy, vegetarian treat.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
25 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian-style

Yield: 4 Servings (1 big platter or 4 individual servings)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Topping

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ Cheese sauce

02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 120 ml heavy cream
05 115 g cream cheese, softened and cubed
06 75 g parmesan cheese, grated
07 1/4 teaspoon Italian herbs
08 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (if you want it spicy)
09 Salt and ground black pepper to taste

→ Pasta

10 300 g dried spaghetti
11 Salt for boiling water

Steps

Step 01

Spoon the pasta into bowls or pile it onto a big platter. Add plenty of chopped parsley up top and sprinkle on extra parmesan if you like. Best served hot.

Step 02

Add your cooked pasta right into the pan with the sauce. Stir everything up so the noodles are well coated. Splash in your reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until it's as saucy as you want. Taste and season with pepper or salt if needed.

Step 03

Stir parmesan, Italian herbs, and those chili flakes into your sauce. Keep it on low heat, mixing often, for about 2–3 minutes, letting it thicken up a bit.

Step 04

Turn the heat to low. Pour in cream and toss in the cubed cream cheese. Stir non-stop until everything's smooth and super creamy and the cream cheese is all melted.

Step 05

Melt butter in a big skillet over medium heat. Drop in the minced garlic and let it cook for 1–2 minutes. It should smell great but not turn brown.

Step 06

Fill a big pot with lots of salted water and bring it to a boil. Toss in your spaghetti and cook until it's just firm to the bite, following your package. Scoop out about 240 ml of that starchy water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Notes

  1. Go for freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor—skip the pre-shredded stuff.
  2. Level it up by throwing in grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed mushrooms for something extra.
  3. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, a splash of milk or cream helps loosen things up.

Required Equipment

  • Big pot
  • Large skillet
  • Whisk
  • Colander

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Has dairy (butter, cream, cream cheese, parmesan); double check ingredient labels if sensitive.
  • May contain gluten (spaghetti).

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 580
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Carbs: 60 g
  • Protein: 17 g