Description
A rich, deeply savory pasta dish featuring fermented black garlic melted into butter and cream. This glossy, dark sauce is sophisticated enough for dinner parties yet simple enough for weeknight dinners, offering a mysterious umami flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 6–8 cloves black garlic, peeled and mashed into a paste
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
- 1 pound (450g) pasta (rigatoni or pappardelle recommended)
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Peel the black garlic cloves and mash them into a paste. Chop parsley and grate Parmesan cheese.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add black garlic paste and cook gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly caramelized, but not brown.
- Pour in heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove skillet from heat. Gradually add grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Add pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
- Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and black pepper.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water; it is essential for emulsifying the sauce. Use fresh Parmesan only, as pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Always remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce Parmesan. Black garlic can be found at farmers markets, specialty grocery stores, or online.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: black garlic, butter pasta, fall dinner, dinner party, easy pasta, umami, creamy pasta, gluten-free option