Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe for Everyone’s Favorite

Whipping up a mouthwatering garlic butter pasta can transform your weeknight dinner from mundane to magnificent.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of simple ingredients creating extraordinary flavors.

Creamy butter melts into silky strands, coating each noodle with rich, aromatic goodness.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish comes together without complicated techniques.

Fragrant garlic infuses every bite with a warm, comforting essence that makes hearts sing.

Mediterranean traditions inspire this straightforward culinary delight that feels both elegant and approachable.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey into comfort food bliss that you won’t want to miss.

Foods to Serve With Garlic Butter Pasta

• Crisp Pinot Grigio complements the garlic butter's richness while cutting through its creamy texture, enhancing the pasta's delicate flavors.
• Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's richness and add a fresh, zesty contrast to the garlic butter sauce.
• Grilled lemon-herb chicken provides a protein-packed accompaniment that matches the pasta's simple yet flavorful profile, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Sprinkle extra-aged Parmesan or try pecorino romano for an additional sharp, salty dimension that intensifies the garlic butter's depth and complexity.

Garlic Butter Pasta Adjustments

• Vegan Garlic Herb Pasta: Replace butter with olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. Add fresh basil and oregano for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodle Version: Swap pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for added texture.
• Protein-Packed Mediterranean Pasta: Mix in grilled chicken or chickpeas. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Spicy Asian Fusion Pasta: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce. Add sesame oil, chopped green onions, and toasted sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired kick.

Garlic Butter Pasta FAQs

• Why should I reserve pasta water?

Pasta water is starchy and helps create a silky, smooth sauce that clings better to the noodles. It also helps thin out the sauce without losing flavor.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Absolutely! While the recipe works great with spaghetti, you can also use linguine, fettuccine, or penne. Just ensure they’re cooked al dente.

• How do I prevent garlic from burning?

Cook garlic on medium heat and stir frequently. Once it becomes fragrant and slightly golden, immediately add pasta to stop the cooking process and prevent burning.

• Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, this garlic butter pasta is vegetarian. It contains no meat ingredients and can be easily made with vegetarian-friendly butter and cheese.

Why You’ll Want to Make Garlic Butter Pasta

• Requires only a handful of basic pantry staples like butter, garlic, and pasta, ensuring you can create a delectable meal without a complicated shopping list.
• Delivers rich, garlic-infused flavor that appeals to both kids and adults, transforming a simple pasta into a crowd-favorite dish that everyone will eagerly devour.
• Easily customize by adding protein like chicken or shrimp, incorporating extra vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients in Garlic Butter Pasta

Main Ingredients:

• Pasta: Base of the dish, the star of this simple and quick meal. Choose a shape that holds sauce well like spaghetti, linguine, or penne.

• Butter, Garlic: Create a rich, aromatic sauce that coats the pasta. Use fresh garlic for the best flavor and unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.

• Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Black Pepper: Add heat and depth to the dish. Red pepper flakes are optional but provide a nice kick.
• Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Optional toppings that add extra flavor and freshness. Freshly grated Parmesan is best for maximum taste.

• Pasta Water: Helps create a silky, clingy sauce by adding starch and helping ingredients blend smoothly. Reserved from the pasta cooking water.

Cooking Garlic Butter Pasta from Scratch

Step 1: Boil Water Magic

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil, creating a bubbling liquid ready for pasta transformation.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Slide pasta into the boiling water and cook according to package guidance until it reaches that ideal al dente texture. Before draining, scoop out a small amount of pasta water and set aside.

Step 3: Create Butter Flavor Base

Grab a spacious skillet and melt butter over medium heat. Watch it transform into a golden pool of deliciousness.

Step 4: Awaken Garlic Aromas

Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter. Stir continuously as it dances and releases its incredible fragrance. Cook until the garlic turns a light golden color, being careful not to burn.

Step 5: Spice It Up

If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle in red pepper flakes for an extra kick of excitement.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss everything together, ensuring each strand gets coated in the luxurious sauce.

Step 7: Adjust Sauce Consistency

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to create a silky, smooth coating.

Step 8: Season to Perfection

Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavors.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Plate the pasta while it’s steaming hot. For an extra touch of elegance, shower with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

• Pasta
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Notes That Help with Garlic Butter Pasta

• Boost Pasta Water Flavor: Salt the water generously before cooking to infuse pasta with deep, rich taste from the inside out.
• Prevent Sauce Clumping: Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to help thin and smooth out the garlic butter sauce, creating a silky texture.
• Maximize Garlic Potential: Stir garlic constantly while cooking to prevent burning and ensure a mellow, golden flavor without bitterness.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference, from a mild hint to a bold kick.
• Elevate Serving Style: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley for a restaurant-quality presentation that adds brightness and depth.

How to Keep Garlic Butter Pasta Fresh

• Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few droplets of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra butter to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Gently stir until heated evenly.
• Consume reheated pasta within 1-2 days for the best taste and texture. Discard if it develops an off smell or shows signs of spoilage.

Easy Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic butter pasta weaves Italian comfort with simplistic charm, delivering rich flavor through minimal ingredients. Silky noodles draped in golden butter and roasted garlic promise a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave on busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or favorite pasta

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Additional Components:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) pasta water
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Fill a generously sized pot with water, sprinkle in salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Submerge pasta into the bubbling water, cooking precisely according to package guidelines until achieving a perfectly tender yet firm al dente texture.
3. Before draining the pasta, carefully extract and set aside a quarter cup of the starchy cooking liquid.
4. Position a spacious skillet on the stovetop, allowing butter to gently melt and transform over medium temperature.
5. Introduce finely chopped garlic into the liquefied butter, stirring attentively to prevent burning while developing a delicate golden hue and releasing its aromatic essence.
6. Sprinkle red pepper flakes into the fragrant butter mixture to impart a subtle, warming heat.
7. Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet, ensuring each strand becomes luxuriously coated with the garlic-infused butter sauce.
8. Expertly maneuver the pasta, tossing and twirling to distribute the sauce evenly, using reserved pasta water to create a silky, cohesive consistency if the mixture appears too dense.
9. Season the dish with judicious amounts of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
10. Present the pasta immediately while piping hot, optionally garnishing with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a scattering of vibrant, chopped fresh parsley for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Preserve pasta’s perfect texture by cooking exactly to al dente, ensuring a delightful bite and preventing mushiness.
• Adjust garlic intensity by controlling cooking time; shorter cooking maintains a sharp flavor, while longer creates a mellow, nutty undertone.
• Accommodate dietary needs by swapping regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options, maintaining the recipe’s core simplicity and robust flavor profile.
• Enhance nutritional value by incorporating extra vegetables like spinach or roasted cherry tomatoes directly into the garlic butter sauce for added depth and nutrients.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 30mg