Among the trays of nachos, dips, pigs in a blanket and football-shaped brownie bites, I contributed a rather untraditional dish to the Super Bowl spread last Sunday: creamy garlic pasta. 

Surrounded by the more typical foods of the day, this unexpected guest quickly became a conversation starter, sparking discussion with both old friends and new acquaintances. In many ways, that is exactly what this recipe is meant to do.

I picked it up while studying abroad in Florence last semester, though it is by no means a traditional Italian dish. Even after enjoying incredible carbonaras, amatricianas and other classic pasta dishes at authentic Italian restaurants, this is the one dish I truly carried home with me. 

One of my six roommates made it on our very first night in the apartment we were all sharing as strangers. That single bowl of pasta became an icebreaker, bringing seven unfamiliar people into easy conversation and infectious laughter. We returned to the dish again and again throughout the semester, bringing us back together around our table even when the city outside beckoned.

Since then, it has become a true comfort meal, unapologetically rich and indulgent, with the garlic and spices providing warmth and the butter and cheese giving it a velvety depth. It’s also an easy, flexible dish — one that holds its character even when you adjust the ingredients to match your mood. More garlic one night, less cheese another — no matter your preference, it delivers. 

While it paired surprisingly well with other Super Bowl dishes on the table, its primary purpose goes beyond flavor: this pasta is meant to bring people together. Whether for a Super Bowl party or an ordinary weekday dinner, I encourage you to invite someone new to your table when making it or use it as a way to reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

And if what you need instead is comfort and a quiet moment alone, it works just as well in that capacity.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (around half a box) of your favorite pasta noodle
• 1 cup of cream
• ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp of butter
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 tbsp of chili crisp 
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce
• Half a box of cherry tomatoes
• Basil
• Seasonings: garlic powder, pepper, oregano and paprika 

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. 
2. While the pasta begins to cook, heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter and oil.
3. Once the butter has melted, stir in the seasonings, garlic and chili crisp. Feel free to adjust these ingredients as you go. Let your intuition guide you and tailor the spice level to your preference. 
4. Once satisfied, cut your cherry tomatoes in half and stir them into the mix.
5. Add in the cream and soy sauce. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes while stirring occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken. 
6. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the Parmesan cheese, adding more or less depending on how rich you’d like the sauce to be. 
7. Continue stirring until the pasta is finished cooking, then add it directly to the sauce. 
8. Toss until the noodles are fully coated and finish with any additional seasonings or chili crisp. Garnish with basil for serving.