Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe (Rich, Easy, and Comforting Weeknight Magic)
Derek
This garlic butter pasta recipe is your go-to for a rich, comforting, and easy weeknight dinner. Made with fresh garlic, butter, parmesan, and pasta water, it delivers big flavor from minimal ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes and endlessly customizable—perfect with grilled chicken, veggies, or on its own as a satisfying vegetarian pasta. No cream needed, just pantry staples and bold flavor in every bite.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian-Inspired Comfort Food
Servings 4 servings
Calories 480 kcal
- 8 oz spaghetti linguine, or pasta of choice
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- Optional: red pepper flakes chopped parsley, lemon zest
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned (about 1 minute).
Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet.
Toss until everything is well combined, and the sauce coats the noodles.
Stir in parmesan cheese, black pepper, and optional herbs or lemon zest.
Serve immediately with extra cheese and pepper if desired.
Chef Derek’s Secret Tips
1. Start with Cold Butter and Garlic Together: Don’t heat the butter first. Start with both in a cold pan and gradually increase the heat. This slow bloom draws out the garlic’s sweet, nutty notes without burning it.
2. Use Salted and Unsalted Butter Combo: A 50/50 mix gives you rich flavor without over-salting the dish. Salted butter adds depth, while unsalted keeps you in control.
3. Finish with Lemon Zest or Juice: A small splash of lemon juice or a hint of zest at the end adds brightness that balances the richness of the garlic butter.
4. Reserve Extra Pasta Water: You might need more than you think. It loosens the sauce as it cools and adds a silky texture when reheating leftovers.
5. Let the Pasta Sit for 1 Minute Before Serving: Letting the pasta rest in the sauce for just one minute off heat helps everything meld together and allows the sauce to cling better.
6. Toast the Garlic Just Right: You want a soft golden hue—anything darker risks bitterness. It should smell mellow, not sharp.
7. Use Microplane for Garlic and Parmesan: Finely grated garlic melts into the butter effortlessly, and microplaned parmesan creates a smoother, more cohesive sauce.Keyword buttery_garlic_spaghetti, comfort_food_pasta_recipe, creamy_pasta_without_cream, easy_parmesan_garlic_pasta, garlic_butter_pasta_recipe, pantry_pasta_dinner, quick_garlic_pasta_dinner, vegetarian_pasta_no_cream
