Description
Garlic butter pasta is a comforting dish made with savory garlic, rich butter, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s simple yet indulgent, perfect for cozy dinners or quick meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid browning the garlic.
- Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet and stir to combine. Lower the heat and whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter until the sauce is silky.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
- Season with salt to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes. Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or mascarpone cheese. Don’t skip the pasta water step, as it helps create a silky sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: Garlic Butter Pasta, Easy Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food, Italian Pasta, Quick Dinner