Description
A creamy Mexican classic made with spaghetti, garlic, and Mexican crema, perfect for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz spaghetti
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups Mexican crema
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 6 bay leaves (up to 8, to taste)
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
- ½ cup queso fresco, crumbled, plus more for serving if desired
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1/4 cup pasta water (optional). Drain the pasta well.
- While the pasta cooks, make the sauce: set a large skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter, then add the minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant (do not brown the garlic).
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Mexican crema, milk, and salt until smooth and combined. Keep the heat gentle—avoid boiling to prevent the crema from separating.
- Add 6 bay leaves (up to 8 if your bay leaves are mild). Simmer on low for 3–6 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly and you can taste a warm bay leaf flavor in the background.
- Remove the bay leaves with a spoon. If the sauce looks too thick, stir in a splash of milk or a little reserved pasta water until silky.
- Return the drained spaghetti to the pot (or add it directly to the skillet if it fits). Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss gently to coat.
- Add the crumbled queso fresco and toss again just until mixed. Taste and adjust with more salt or extra queso fresco if desired. Serve immediately while creamy.
Notes
- Make sure to not brown the garlic in the sauce for best flavor.
- Taste the sauce before serving to adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg