Few things transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary like roasted garlic in this Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta. It takes the deep, caramelised sweetness of slow-cooked garlic and blends it into a luxurious, velvety sauce.
Despite using four full bulbs, the result isn’t overpowering. Roasting mellows the garlic, turning it buttery and aromatic. When mixed with double cream and Parmigiano Reggiano, it creates a dish that is indulgent yet beautifully balanced.
Table of Contents
- Ingredient Breakdown
- The Secret to Perfectly Roasted Garlic
- Choosing the Right Pasta Shape
- Building the Ultimate Creamy Sauce
- Customise Your Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta
- Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- Storing and Reheating Tips
- More Creamy Pasta Recipes
Ingredient Breakdown
- Garlic bulbs: Roasting softens the sharpness, leaving behind a sweet, nutty flavour that infuses the sauce.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Helps roast the garlic to perfection while adding a layer of richness.
- Dried pasta: Any shape works, but ridged or tubular varieties hold the creamy sauce best.
- Double cream: Gives the sauce its signature silky texture and luxurious mouthfeel.
- Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano: Adds depth, saltiness and a slightly nutty note that complements the roasted garlic.
The Secret to Perfectly Roasted Garlic
Garlic transforms completely when roasted. Raw garlic has a sharp, pungent bite due to its natural sulphur compounds, but roasting mellows these harsh flavours. As the garlic cooks, its sugars caramelise, creating a deep, almost nutty sweetness. The cloves become soft, spreadable, and perfect for blending into creamy sauces.
The key to achieving this perfect transformation is low, even heat. Wrapping the bulbs in foil creates a mini steam room that keeps them moist while allowing them to develop a golden exterior. If roasted at too high a temperature, garlic can burn, turning bitter instead of sweet. The best method is to roast at 200°C for 45 minutes, ensuring every clove reaches the perfect level of caramelisation.
Roasted garlic isn’t just delicious, it’s also packed with health benefits. Cooking reduces its intensity but retains many of its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. It’s rich in antioxidants and compounds that may help support heart health.
Choosing the Right Pasta Shape
The pasta you choose can make or break the dish. For Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta, opt for pasta shapes that hold onto the sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with garlicky goodness.
Short, ridged pastas like rigatoni or penne work well because their grooves trap the creamy sauce. Long pasta, such as fettuccine or tagliatelle, creates a luxurious eating experience, coating each strand in the velvety garlic-infused sauce. If you prefer a lighter, delicate bite, spaghetti is a great choice, allowing the sauce to cling beautifully.
Fresh pasta also works, especially egg-based varieties, as they naturally absorb the sauce better. However, dried pasta offers a firmer texture, standing up well to the rich, creamy elements of the dish. Cooking the pasta in generously salted water ensures it’s flavourful before even meeting the sauce.
Building the Ultimate Creamy Sauce
The richness of Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta comes from the double cream. Unlike single cream, which has a lower fat content, double cream provides a thick, luscious texture that helps the sauce coat the pasta properly. The high-fat content also stabilises the sauce, preventing it from splitting when heated.
To keep the cream from becoming too heavy, balance is key. The roasted garlic provides a natural sweetness, cutting through the richness, while the parmesan adds a sharp, salty contrast. The heat should always stay low when adding the cream to avoid curdling. If the sauce feels too thick, a splash of reserved pasta water will loosen it while maintaining its silky consistency.
For those looking for a slightly lighter alternative, crème fraîche or Greek yoghurt can be used instead. They bring a subtle tanginess, though they won’t replicate the same luxurious texture as double cream.
Customise Your Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta
This dish shines in its simplicity, but a few thoughtful additions can take it to the next level.
- Fresh Herbs: A handful of finely chopped parsley or basil adds freshness, balancing out the richness.
- Lemon Zest: A sprinkle of lemon zest lifts the dish with a bright, citrusy contrast.
- Crispy Pancetta or Bacon: For those who enjoy a savoury crunch, crispy pancetta or bacon crumbles add a salty, smoky element.
- Sautéed Mushrooms: Earthy mushrooms pair beautifully with the creamy sauce, adding depth and umami.
- Chilli Flakes: A pinch of chilli flakes gives a gentle heat that cuts through the richness, enhancing the overall flavour.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
The simplicity of Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta makes it versatile. A fresh, peppery rocket salad with a lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness, balancing the dish. Garlic bread might seem indulgent alongside it, but a crispy, golden slice is perfect for scooping up the sauce.
For drinks, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc enhances the garlic’s sweetness without overpowering the dish. If you prefer red, a light-bodied Pinot Noir with bright acidity complements the creaminess beautifully.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This pasta is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce while warming over low heat. Avoid microwaving, as it can cause the sauce to separate.
More Creamy Pasta Recipes
If you enjoyed this Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta, I have plenty more creamy pasta recipes for you to try!
- Creamy Salmon Pasta: Pasta tossed in a creamy lemon, white wine and parmesan sauce with flakes of perfectly roasted salmon.
- Creamy Red Pepper Pasta: It’s amazing how a little onion, garlic, tomato purée, peppers and cream can come together in mere minutes to make a delicious, deeply-flavoured sauce.
- Creamy Tomato Pasta: Comfort food at its finest! Adding mascarpone and parmigiano reggiano to traditional marinara makes for a delicious pasta sauce.
- Creamy Tomato and Harissa Pasta: This tasty pasta number is the perfect balance of flavours. It’s creamy and bright, with just a hint of spice from the harissa.
See how I make all these recipes and more over on my Instagram!
Creamy Roasted Garlic Pasta
This dish goes out to all the garlic girls (and boys) out there. It uses 4 full heads of garlic, but it’s actually not as intense as you might think. Why? Because roasting garlic like this mellows it out massively and gives it a deep, rich sweetness that works so well in this creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 4 full garlic bulbs
- extra-virgin olive oil
- 400g dried pasta of choice
- 400ml double cream
- 120g parmigiano reggiano or grana padano
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 200°C / fan 180°C.
- Remove the papery outer layers of the garlic bulbs, ensuring you don’t loosen the cloves or remove all of the skin.
- Using a sharp knife, cut off the tips of the garlic bulb to expose the cloves.
- Place each of the garlic bulbs on a small piece of aluminium foil. Season with salt, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and wrap up into a parcel.
- Place the parcels in a small baking tin and roast for 45 minutes.
- Remove the garlic bulbs from the foil and leave to cool for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to the boil. Cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
- Place the double cream in a large sauté pan and squeeze in the garlic cloves, discarding the skins.
- Set the pan over a medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes then remove the saucepan from the heat and add the parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water.
- Return the creamy garlic sauce to the stove over a medium-low heat. Add the pasta and toss well to coat, adding a splash of pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Once the pasta is nicely coated in the sauce, you’re ready to serve – enjoy!
