Description
Comforting garlic butter spaghetti with herbs brings Italian kitchen magic to your dinner table. Silky strands dance with fragrant herbs, creating a simple yet luxurious meal that beckons you to savor each delightful twirl.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti
- 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp (15 g) chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried basil)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil spaghetti in generously salted water until perfectly tender, maintaining an al dente texture. Carefully extract and preserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Aromatic Butter Infusion: Heat a spacious skillet over medium flame, allowing butter to melt and transform into a golden, bubbling base. Introduce minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, gently sautéing until an enticing fragrance emerges.
- Sauce Integration: Transfer cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet, expertly tossing to ensure each strand becomes lavishly coated with the garlic-infused butter sauce. Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water, creating a silky, clinging consistency.
- Herb and Seasoning Finale: Fold in freshly chopped parsley and basil, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat, garnishing with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and an optional bright splash of lemon juice.
- Serving: Plate immediately, presenting a aromatic, herb-flecked pasta dish that promises maximum flavor and restaurant-quality presentation.
Notes
- Cook spaghetti exactly al dente to prevent mushiness and ensure perfect sauce absorption.
- Sauté garlic gently to release aroma without burning, which can create bitter taste.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually to create smooth, silky sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to personal heat preference, allowing flexible seasoning for different palates.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg