Cheesy Garlic Bread Pasta: A Cozy Comfort Recipe

Warm, golden bread meets creamy pasta in this irresistible cheesy roasted garlic bread pasta recipe that promises pure comfort.

roasted garlic infuses deep, mellow flavors into every single bite.

Fragrant herbs dance alongside melted cheese, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

The crispy bread crumbs add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth, silky pasta.

Each forkful delivers a rich, indulgent experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Home cooks will love how simple yet spectacular this dish turns out.

This recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 510 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Pasta

• Garlic Bulbs: Transforms into sweet, mellow flavor with golden caramelized edges perfect for creamy sauces.
• Olive Oil: Helps garlic roast evenly and adds rich, smooth undertones to the overall dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances natural garlic sweetness and provides balanced seasoning.

• Fusilli Pasta: Spiraled shape catches sauce beautifully and provides delightful textural experience.
• Parmigiano Cheese: Creates rich, nutty foundation with intense umami depth for sauce.
• Fontina Cheese: Melts luxuriously, adding creamy, silky texture to pasta coating.
• Pasta Water: Essential starchy liquid that helps bind sauce and pasta seamlessly.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Delivers crispy, light crunch that contrasts with creamy pasta.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens dish with zesty, tangy notes and cuts through richness.
• Parsley: Adds fresh, herbal pop of color and subtle green flavor to finish.
• Minced Garlic: Provides sharp, aromatic base for toasting breadcrumbs.

Tools That Help Build Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Pasta

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and creating enough space for stirring.
• Sauté Pan: Perfect for creating creamy cheese sauce and mixing pasta ingredients smoothly.
• Baking Foil: Crucial for wrapping and roasting garlic bulbs to golden perfection.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to slice garlic bulb tops and chop fresh parsley.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure pasta water and breadcrumb ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring breadcrumbs and mixing pasta in sauce.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
• Oven: Required for roasting garlic at the right temperature.
• Stove: Necessary for cooking pasta and toasting breadcrumbs.

Simple Steps to Make Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Pasta

Garlic Awakening

Preheat the oven and prepare for a flavor transformation. Slice the garlic bulb’s crown, exposing its hidden treasure. Drizzle with golden olive oil and sprinkle a whisper of seasoning. Wrap the bulb gently in foil, sending it into the warm oven’s embrace for a sensory journey.

Crispy Panko Magic

Warm a skillet with a gentle touch of olive oil. Invite minced garlic to dance, releasing its aromatic charm. Welcome panko breadcrumbs to the party, toasting them until they reach a golden, crunchy perfection. A splash of bright lemon juice adds a zesty finale to this crispy symphony.

Pasta Fusion

Boil water with a generous pinch of salt, creating a welcoming bath for the fusilli. Once cooked, rescue a cup of the starchy liquid – your secret weapon for silky sauce. In a separate pan, melt Parmigiano into a creamy landscape, welcoming Fontina to create a luxurious sauce. Squeeze the now-soft roasted garlic cloves into this molten blend.

Bringing It Together

Marry the pasta with the velvety sauce, twirling each strand to ensure complete coverage. Transfer to waiting plates, crown with the crispy panko and a flutter of fresh parsley. A masterpiece of comfort and elegance awaits.

Flavor Enhancements for Garlic Bread Pasta

• Swap Parmigiano and Fontina with your favorite cheese combinations like pecorino, gruyère, or a sharp cheddar for unique flavor profiles.
• Add chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary to the panko mixture for extra aromatic crunch and depth of flavor.
• Roast garlic and prepare breadcrumbs in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to streamline weeknight cooking and reduce prep time.
• Replace regular panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe accessible for various dietary needs.

Serving Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Pasta at the Table

• Garlic Lover's Dream Plate: Sprinkle extra roasted garlic cloves on top for intense flavor lovers who can't get enough of that rich, mellow garlic essence.
• Cheese Explosion Presentation: Garnish with additional grated Parmigiano and melted Fontina drizzled over the pasta to create a luxurious, creamy cheese cascade that makes every bite irresistible.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Scatter freshly chopped parsley and a zesty lemon wedge on the side to brighten the dish and add a pop of color that enhances the overall visual appeal and provides a fresh citrusy contrast.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the cheesy, garlicky pasta with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the richness and elevates the entire dining experience.

How to Keep Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Pasta Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Revive cold pasta by adding a splash of water or extra olive oil when warming. Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to restore creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Ingredient Preparation Tip: Roast extra garlic bulbs during initial cooking. Store whole roasted garlic cloves in olive oil inside a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week, ready for future recipes.
• Breadcrumb Freshness Hack: Keep toasted lemon-garlic panko in a sealed container at room temperature for one week. Sprinkle on salads, soups, or other pasta dishes for an instant flavor and crunch boost.

Mouthwatering Roasted Garlic Bread Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cheesy roasted garlic bread pasta delivers comfort through Italian-inspired flavors blending crispy bread crumbs with creamy sauce. Melted cheese and caramelized garlic create a satisfying meal you will savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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• 0.5 pound (226 g) fusilli corti pasta
• 2 bulbs garlic
• 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
• 0.5 cup fontina cheese, grated
• 0.5 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup lemon-garlic panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 0.33 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 0.25 tsp salt
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Juice of 0.5 lemon

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Instructions

1. Roast Garlic: Slice garlic bulb tops, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F for 45 minutes until caramelized and soft.
2. Prepare Breadcrumbs: In a skillet, toast panko with olive oil and minced garlic, add lemon juice, and stir until golden and crisp.
3. Cook Pasta: Boil fusilli in salted water until al dente, reserving one cup of starchy pasta water, then drain.
4. Create Cheese Sauce: Melt Parmigiano cheese in a sauté pan, gradually blend in pasta water, then incorporate Fontina cheese until smooth and creamy.
5. Combine and Finish: Squeeze roasted garlic into cheese sauce, add cooked pasta and parsley, toss to coat evenly, then plate and top with lemon-garlic panko breadcrumbs and additional parsley.

Notes

• Garlic Roasting Tip: Wrapping bulbs in foil helps steam and caramelize cloves, intensifying their sweet, mellow flavor without burning.
• Breadcrumb Technique: Toasting panko on low heat ensures a golden, crispy texture while preventing bitter burnt notes; constant stirring is crucial.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserving starchy cooking liquid creates a silky sauce base, helping cheese melt smoothly and bind ingredients perfectly.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Gradually incorporate cheese and pasta water at low heat to prevent clumping and achieve a luxurious, creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg