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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: In a skillet, toast panko with olive oil and minced garlic, add lemon juice, and stir until golden and crisp.
- Cook Pasta: Boil fusilli in salted water until al dente, reserving one cup of starchy pasta water, then drain.
- Create Cheese Sauce: Melt Parmigiano cheese in a sauté pan, gradually blend in pasta water, then incorporate Fontina cheese until smooth and creamy.
- 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