Description

A rich, dramatic, and easy-to-make pasta dish featuring sweet, smoky black garlic in a creamy butter sauce. Perfect for Halloween dinner parties or autumn gatherings, this dish offers deep umami flavor with a moody aesthetic.

Ingredients

Scale

8–10 cloves black garlic
1 stick (113g) unsalted butter
1 pound (450g) pasta (fettuccine, tagliatelle, penne, or rigatoni)
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
Reserved pasta water

Instructions

Peel the black garlic cloves and mash them into a smooth, dark paste using a garlic press or mortar and pestle.
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, then drain the pasta.
While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the black garlic paste and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter darkens slightly, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Reduce heat to low. Pour in heavy cream and stir well. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and the sauce thickens. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Black garlic should be soft and sticky; if hard, it is not fully fermented. Do not burn the garlic as it has a lower burn point than regular garlic. Save pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 380
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 2
Protein: 15

Keywords: black garlic, butter pasta, Halloween dinner, autumn recipes, easy pasta, gluten-free pasta, dinner party, comfort food, creamy pasta