Here’s a recipe for garlic butter pasta that is not only easy to make but delicious as well. This pasta dish is perfect for a quick meal for yourself or your family. With just a few common ingredients you’ll have dinner on the table in no time.
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Recipe Summary
This pasta recipe serves 4-6 people. It’s super flexible not only with the ingredients, but also regarding the type of pasta you want to use. This recipe is similar to my midnight pasta recipe that uses olive oil instead of butter.
Ingredients
To make garlic butter pasta, here are the simple ingredients you’ll need.
- Pasta. You can use long pasta like spaghetti, angel hair or fettuccini or you can use short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.
- Butter. I prefer unsalted butter, but if your butter is salted, just reduce any extra salt you might add to the pasta water.
- Finely chopped Garlic. Use sliced garlic for a more subtle flavor or minced garlic for a more garlicky dish.
- Grated Romano cheese. Parmesan cheese can be substituted.
- Italian Parsley. You can use dried parsley if fresh parsley is not available.
- Salt and pepper. Optional.
Step by Step Instructions
For exact measurements check out the recipe card below. Follow these steps for making this delicious buttered pasta recipe.
Step 1. Bring water in a large sauce pan to a boil and add your pasta. Cook according to package instructions.
Step 2. Meanwhile, in a large saute or frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Step 3. Add in the chopped garlic, stir and reduce heat to simmer. For a stronger garlic flavor, mince the garlic and for a more subtle flavor thinly slice the garlic. Let simmer over low heat for 3 minutes or until fragrant.
Step 4. When the pasta is done, set 1 cup of pasta water aside and add the drained pasta to the garlic butter sauce and mix until well incorporated.
Step 5. Add in the grated cheese and stir until well incorporated.
Step 6. Add the chopped parsley and black pepper. Toss and cook another 1-2 minutes. Add a little of the reserved pasta water to help loosen the noodles if they are sticking together too much.
Step 7. Serve and top with additional cheese.
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Recipe Tips & Modifications
I cannot stress enough the flexibility of this recipe. Here are some modifications you can make.
- Add red pepper flakes at the end for a little bit of kick.
- For a more Alfredo-style recipe, increase the cheese and add it to the butter. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Add some whole milk if it’s too thick.
- Add in some cooked shrimp or fresh tomatoes.
- Add a splash of fresh lemon at the end when you’re adding the pasta in.
What Goes with Garlic Butter Pasta
Here are some ideas for what to serve this with.
Other Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy
For a full list of pasta recipes, visit here. Otherwise, check out these below!
Pasta with asparagus is a wonderful easy recipe that uses fresh or frozen asparagus.
This turkey tetrazzini recipe is an easy and filling casserole. Swap the turkey with chicken if you want!
This pasta recipe uses broccoli and chicken sausage and is super easy to make!
Recipe Card
Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz Pasta short or long
- 3 Tbsp Butter
- 1-2 cloves Finely chopped Garlic finely chopped or sliced. Adjust per taste.
- 1/3 cup Grated Romano cheese grated
- 2 tsp Italian Parsley freshly chopped. use 1 tsp if dried.
- 1 dash Salt and Pepper optional
Instructions
- Bring water in a large sauce pan to a boil and add your pasta. Cook according to package instructions.8 oz Pasta
- Meanwhile, in a large saute or frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat.3 Tbsp Butter
- Add in the chopped garlic, stir and reduce heat to simmer. For a stronger garlic flavor, mince the garlic and for a more subtle flavor thinly slice the garlic. Let simmer over low heat for 3 minutes or until fragrant.1-2 cloves Finely chopped Garlic
- When the pasta is done, set 1 cup of pasta water off to the side and drain the rest.
- Add the drained pasta to the garlic butter sauce and mix until well incorporated.
- Add in the grated cheese and stir until well incorporated.1/3 cup Grated Romano cheese
- Add the chopped parsley and black pepper. Toss and cook another 1-2 minutes. Add a little of the reserved pasta water if the pasta is sticking too much. This helps loosen the noodles.2 tsp Italian Parsley, 1 dash Salt and Pepper
- Serve and top with additional cheese.
Notes
- This is a classic Italian recipe that should be adjusted per your taste. If you don’t like a lot of garlic, then use less. If you want it garlicky, use up to 3 cloves.
- I prefer using fresh parsley. If all you have is dried, only use a little and taste test. Depending on the potency of the herb, you may want more or less.
- See the rest of my post for additional recipe modifications and ideas for side dishes.
Nutrition
I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe! If you’ve tried it and made any changes to make it your own (or kept it all the same), let me know in the comments below!
Liz
Simple and delicious! Nothing to change here. Thank you.
I’m so glad you liked the recipe!