Creamy Basil Margherita Spaghetti

You've had Margherita pizza. But have you had Margherita spaghetti? You are going to LOVE this recipe. This is a new twist on an all-time favorite pizza with lots of fresh basil. I think this is one of the best pasta recipes ever. This dish has 3 major elements: the pasta, the veggies/herbs, and the cream sauce.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 487 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ medium onion, diced
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste
• 1 lemon wedge
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic, or more to taste
• ¼ cup green onions, diced
• 3 pinches ground thyme, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a medium frying pan over low heat. Add tomato, onion, green onions, and garlic. Reserve 2 tablespoons basil and add the rest to the frying pan. Cook for 5 minutes.

Step 3

While vegetables cook, melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup cream and continue to whisk for 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Add remaining cream and stir. Add granulated garlic, thyme, and a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce.

Step 4

Taste sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Add cooked vegetables to the sauce, mix well, and simmer over low heat while pasta boils.

Step 5

Mix Parmesan cheese and reserved basil together in a bowl.

Step 6

Serve the pasta in a large plate or bowl. Ladle cream sauce over. Top with Parmesan-basil mixture and another squeeze of lemon juice.