Roasted Garlic Romano Butter Spaghetti Warehouse Copycat Recipe

Craving the iconic Roasted Garlic Romano Butter Spaghetti from The Spaghetti Warehouse? This copycat recipe allows you to recreate this restaurant favorite in the comfort of your own home. It’s rich, garlicky, cheesy, and surprisingly easy to make! This recipe captures the essence of the original, delivering a satisfying and flavorful pasta dish that will impress your family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Restaurant Quality at Home:** Enjoy the taste of The Spaghetti Warehouse without leaving your house.
* **Simple Ingredients:** The recipe uses readily available ingredients.
* **Easy to Make:** The steps are straightforward and easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
* **Incredibly Flavorful:** The combination of roasted garlic, romano cheese, and butter creates a symphony of flavors.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adjust the recipe to your liking, adding more garlic, cheese, or even some red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* 1 head of garlic
* 1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
* 1 pound spaghetti
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup grated Romano cheese, plus more for serving
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat
* Optional: Reserved pasta water

Equipment

* Oven
* Baking sheet
* Large pot
* Colander
* Large bowl
* Garlic press (optional, but helpful)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Roast the Garlic

Roasting the garlic is the most crucial step in this recipe. It mellows the garlic’s pungent flavor and brings out its sweetness, creating the perfect base for the sauce.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut off the top of the garlic head, exposing the cloves. Drizzle generously with olive oil, ensuring the cut cloves are well coated.
3. Wrap the garlic head tightly in aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are soft and golden brown. The cloves should be easily pierced with a fork.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti

While the garlic is roasting, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Remember to salt the pasta water generously – this seasons the pasta from the inside out.

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions for al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
3. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. This starchy water can be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
4. Drain the spaghetti in a colander.

Step 3: Prepare the Garlic Romano Butter Sauce

This is where the magic happens! The roasted garlic, butter, and Romano cheese combine to create a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the spaghetti perfectly.

1. Once the roasted garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a large bowl. They should easily slip out.
2. Using a fork or a garlic press, mash the roasted garlic into a smooth paste.
3. Add the softened butter to the bowl with the roasted garlic.
4. Add the grated Romano cheese and chopped parsley.
5. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired for a touch of heat.
6. Using a fork or a whisk, mix all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. The mixture should be creamy and spreadable.

Step 4: Combine Spaghetti and Sauce

Now it’s time to bring everything together!

1. Add the drained spaghetti to the bowl with the garlic Romano butter sauce.
2. Using tongs, toss the spaghetti and sauce together until the spaghetti is evenly coated. Make sure every strand is covered in the delicious sauce.
3. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. This will help the sauce cling to the pasta better.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve immediately and enjoy! Garnish with extra grated Romano cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips and Variations

* **Don’t Overcook the Pasta:** Al dente pasta holds its shape better and absorbs the sauce more effectively.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the flavor of your dish. Use good quality butter and Romano cheese.
* **Adjust the Garlic to Your Taste:** If you love garlic, feel free to use more than one head. If you’re not a big fan of garlic, you can use slightly less.
* **Add Protein:** Grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage would be delicious additions to this dish.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
* **Vegetarian Option:** This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly.
* **Make it Ahead:** You can roast the garlic ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The garlic Romano butter sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before tossing with the spaghetti.
* **Use Fresh Herbs:** Substitute or add other fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme for a more complex flavor profile.
* **Add a Splash of White Wine:** Deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine after roasting the garlic for extra depth of flavor.
* **Toast Breadcrumbs:** Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs over the finished dish for added texture.

Serving Suggestions

This Roasted Garlic Romano Butter Spaghetti is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs well with:

* A simple green salad
* Garlic bread
* Steamed vegetables
* Roasted vegetables

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Please note that the following is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

* Calories: 600-800 per serving
* Fat: 30-40g
* Saturated Fat: 20-25g
* Cholesterol: 100-150mg
* Sodium: 500-800mg
* Carbohydrates: 70-90g
* Protein: 20-30g

Troubleshooting

* **Sauce is too thick:** Add a little reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
* **Sauce is too thin:** Simmer the sauce in a saucepan over low heat for a few minutes to thicken it up. You can also add a little grated Parmesan cheese to help thicken it.
* **Garlic is not roasting properly:** Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature. Also, ensure the garlic head is well wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.
* **Spaghetti is sticking together:** Make sure to cook the spaghetti in plenty of salted water. Also, toss the spaghetti with the sauce immediately after draining it to prevent it from sticking together.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover Roasted Garlic Romano Butter Spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. You may need to add a little milk or water to rehydrate the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use Parmesan cheese instead of Romano cheese?

While Romano cheese has a sharper, saltier flavor that is characteristic of this dish, you can substitute Parmesan cheese if you prefer. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of roasting a whole head?

While you can use pre-minced garlic, the flavor will not be the same. Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and brings out its sweetness, which is essential to the dish. If you’re short on time, you can try using roasted garlic cloves that are sold in jars.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Yes! Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers would be delicious additions to this dish. You can also add sautéed spinach or kale.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, this recipe is not gluten-free as it uses regular spaghetti. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free spaghetti.

Can I freeze this dish?

While you can freeze this dish, the texture of the pasta may change slightly upon thawing. For best results, freeze individual portions in airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

Conclusion

This Roasted Garlic Romano Butter Spaghetti Warehouse copycat recipe is a delicious and easy way to recreate a restaurant favorite at home. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you’ll be enjoying this flavorful pasta dish in no time. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the magic of roasted garlic and Romano cheese! This is a recipe that is guaranteed to please. Now you can have your favorite meal without the long wait and the high price tag!

Enjoy!