Description
This Creamy Three-Cheese Spaghetti recipe combines mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses to create a rich and velvety sauce that perfectly coats al dente spaghetti. Enhanced with garlic, butter, and a hint of nutmeg, this indulgent pasta dish is quick to prepare and ideal for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz dried spaghetti
- 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp whole milk
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated mozzarella
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 2/3 cup grated cheddar
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer Dairy: Pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Then reduce the heat to low to keep the sauce warm without boiling.
- Melt Cheeses: Gradually stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Add freshly ground black pepper, the optional nutmeg, and salt to taste. Stir well to evenly combine the seasonings with the cheese sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the cheese sauce, tossing thoroughly to coat every strand. Gradually add the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce to a creamy consistency as desired.
- Serve Garnished: Serve the creamy three-cheese spaghetti immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Reserved pasta water helps to loosen and emulsify the cheese sauce for a silky texture.
- If nutmeg is unavailable or unwanted, it can be omitted without affecting the overall flavor significantly.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for best melting and flavor results.
- For a richer sauce, increase the heavy cream by 1-2 tablespoons.
- Chopped parsley adds color and a subtle freshness; optional if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: three-cheese spaghetti, creamy pasta, mozzarella Parmesan cheddar pasta, easy Italian pasta recipe, garlic cheese sauce spaghetti
