Description
Quick and creamy Garlic Butter Pasta made with simple pantry ingredients, perfect for a comforting homemade meal ready in under 30 minutes. This flavorful dish features al dente pasta coated in a luscious garlic butter sauce, finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, suitable for all skill levels and easily customizable.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
- 4 fresh garlic cloves, finely minced
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water before draining to help loosen the sauce later.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, optionally adding a splash of olive oil to prevent burning. Add finely minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and golden, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss well to coat every strand evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, luscious sauce consistency.
- Finish with Parmesan and Parsley: Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for freshness and a splash of color, then season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Serve Immediately: Plate your Garlic Butter Pasta while warm and enjoy its rich, buttery goodness with every bite.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor rather than garlic powder or pre-minced versions.
- Don’t overcook the garlic: Garlic can turn bitter if burnt; cook it low and slow until just golden.
- Reserve pasta water: The starchy water helps emulsify the sauce and keep it silky smooth.
- Choose quality butter: Real, high-quality unsalted butter makes a noticeable difference in taste.
- Finish with cheese off the heat: Adding Parmesan after removing the pan from heat prevents it from clumping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: garlic butter pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy pasta, homemade pasta sauce, garlic pasta, simple dinner, comfort food
