Creamy garlic pasta sauce can transform a simple meal into something really extraordinary.
Thanks to its rich texture and bold garlic flavor, this sauce can make any pasta dish into a comforting, restaurant-quality experience.
Best of all, it’s easy to make with just a few ingredients, making it an ideal recipe to have in your culinary arsenal.
Let’s learn how you can create this creamy, flavorful sauce at home!
Ingredients:
Serves – 3 to 4
500g (1.1lbs) – Pasta of your choice
1 Tbsp (14g) – Unsalted Butter
1 tsp (5ml) – Olive Oil
6 – Garlic Cloves, Minced
1/3 Cup (80ml) – Chicken or Vegetable Stock
400ml (13.5floz) – Thickened Cream (Heavy Cream, Whipping Cream)
120g (4.2oz) – Baby Spinach, Washed
60g (2.1oz) – Grana Padano Cheese, Freshly Grated
5g (0.2oz) – Flat Leaf Parsley or Basil, Roughly Chopped
Seasoning To Taste
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook one minute less than the package instructions.
- Reserve some pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
- Mince the garlic using a microplane or grater.
- Grate the cheese.
- Roughly chop the parsley and set aside for garnishing.
- In a large pan, add the butter and olive oil while the pan is still cold.
- Heat over medium-high, melting the butter.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 40 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock to deglaze the pan, stirring to release any browned bits.
- Let it come to a boil (about 20 seconds), then add the heavy cream.
- Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir well and bring the cream to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 6–7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the baby spinach to the sauce, stirring to wilt.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked pasta directly into the sauce.
- Stir in the grated cheese, allowing it to melt and coat the pasta evenly.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Simmer the pasta in the sauce for another 1.5–2 minutes to fully incorporate the flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more sea salt and black pepper.
- Serve the pasta in bowls, topped with extra grated cheese, parsley or basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add more cracked black pepper for a finishing touch.
