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Baked Garlic Parmesan Pasta: A Creamy, Cheesy Comfort Food Recipe

Baked Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a rich, creamy, and satisfying dish made with tender pasta, a smooth garlic cream sauce, plenty of parmesan cheese, and a golden baked topping. It is the perfect recipe when you want something warm, cheesy, and comforting without making a complicated meal.

This dish combines the flavor of garlic bread, creamy Alfredo-style sauce, and baked pasta into one easy casserole. The sauce coats every piece of pasta, while the top becomes bubbly, slightly crisp, and beautifully golden in the oven. It works well as a main dish, a side dish, or a cozy family dinner.

Why This Recipe Works

The flavor comes from a simple but powerful combination: butter, garlic, cream, parmesan, and pasta water. The garlic is gently cooked in butter so it becomes fragrant without burning. The cream and cheese create a smooth sauce, while the pasta absorbs the flavor as it bakes.

The baking step makes the dish even better. The top layer of cheese melts and browns, giving the pasta a richer texture than a regular stovetop cream pasta.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

12 oz pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, rotini, shells, or fusilli
1 tablespoon salt for boiling water
½ cup reserved pasta water

For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

3 tablespoons butter
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

For the Topping

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, optional
1 tablespoon melted butter, optional
1 tablespoon chopped parsley for garnish

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the water, then add the pasta.

Cook the pasta until it is just al dente. This means it should be slightly firm because it will continue cooking in the oven. Avoid overcooking the pasta at this stage, or it may become too soft after baking.

Before draining, save about ½ cup of pasta water. This starchy water helps loosen the sauce later and helps it cling to the pasta.

Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C.

Lightly grease a medium baking dish with butter or cooking spray. A 9×13 inch dish works well for a larger batch, while a smaller dish will create a thicker, creamier bake.

Set the dish aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 3: Cook the Garlic

Place a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt.

Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. The garlic should smell fragrant, but it should not turn dark brown.

This step is important because garlic burns quickly. Burnt garlic can make the whole dish taste bitter, so keep the heat moderate and stir continuously.