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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe with Crispy Breadcrumbs

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A quick and easy creamy garlic Parmesan pasta topped with crispy toasted breadcrumbs, perfect for cozy dinners and weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or linguine (spaghetti works too)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided; for sauce and breadcrumbs)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk (2% works fine)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¾ cup (about 90 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for breadcrumbs)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ¾ cup (90 g) panko breadcrumbs and stir frequently to toast evenly. After about 3-4 minutes, when breadcrumbs are golden and crispy, season with a pinch of salt and remove from heat. Set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and melt over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant, but not browned. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the butter and garlic, stirring constantly to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in 2 cups (480 ml) milk and ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream. Keep whisking to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer; it will start to thicken in about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, whisk in reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, gently tossing to coat evenly. Warm through for 1-2 minutes on low heat, allowing flavors to meld.
  7. Plate pasta immediately, sprinkling crispy toasted breadcrumbs generously on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toast breadcrumbs carefully over medium-low heat to avoid burning. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture. Salt pasta water generously to enhance flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives and use olive oil for toasting breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic Parmesan pasta, crispy breadcrumbs, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner, Parmesan pasta, garlic pasta

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