Description
Garlic Asparagus Pasta turns simple pantry ingredients into restaurant-worthy comfort food right in your own kitchen. Fresh asparagus meets garlicky olive oil sauce and Parmesan cheese in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Wash asparagus under cold water and snap off woody ends. Cut stalks into pieces about 1 to 2 inches long.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Save one cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Add asparagus to boiling pasta water during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Remove asparagus with slotted spoon when bright green and tender-crisp. Drain pasta but keep it near your pan.
4. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not brown.
5. Toss blanched asparagus into the garlic oil. Stir gently to coat everything with flavor. Let asparagus warm through for about 2 minutes.
6. Use tongs to transfer hot pasta directly into skillet with asparagus. Add reserved pasta water gradually while tossing. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
7. Keep tossing pasta over low heat until cheese melts and sauce coats every strand. Serve immediately while hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
Never rinse your pasta after draining. The starch on the surface helps sauce stick properly.
Reserve pasta water before you dump anything down the drain. This magical starchy liquid makes restaurant-quality sauce at home.
Add a tablespoon of butter right at the end for extra silky richness.
Salt your pasta water generously until it tastes like the sea.
Keep heat medium-low when combining to prevent cheese from clumping.
Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian