Almost As Simple Pasta with Parmesan Herbs and Fresh Garlic

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this effortlessly delicious recipe for Almost As Simple Pasta with Parmesan, Herbs, and Fresh Garlic. Designed to impress without the stress, this dish combines al dente spaghetti with a luscious blend of melted butter and olive oil, infused with the aromatic kick of garlic. Tossed with freshly grated Parmesan, fragrant parsley, and basil, and brightened with a hint of lemon zest, every bite bursts with bold, crave-worthy flavors. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for busy evenings or last-minute entertaining. Serve it with a sprinkle of chili flakes for added heat or extra Parmesan for indulgence—this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels gourmet without the fuss. Keywords: simple pasta recipe, pasta with garlic and herbs, quick Parmesan pasta, easy weeknight meal ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 250 grams Spaghetti (or your choice of pasta)
• 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped
• 50 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.25 teaspoons Red chili flakes (optional)
• 120 milliliters Pasta cooking water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil, allowing the butter to melt completely.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

Step 5

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic, tossing to coat the spaghetti in the butter and oil mixture.

Step 6

Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes if using. Toss until the cheese has melted and the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the fresh parsley, basil, and lemon zest.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	519.9 grams (519.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1184

Total Fat 81.40g	104%
Saturated Fat 35.70g	179%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 143mg	48%
Sodium 2047mg	89%
Total Carbohydrate 83.50g	30%
Dietary Fiber 5.90g	21%
Total Sugars 1.60g
Protein 36.00g	72%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 640mg	49%
Iron 4mg	19%
Potassium 269mg	6%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.5%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 27.6%