Description
Garlic Butter Pasta is a simple, flavorful dish combining tender spaghetti with a rich garlic butter sauce and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is ready in just 15 minutes and serves four people. The silky sauce, enhanced with reserved pasta water and fresh parsley, creates a luscious coating for the pasta that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or other pasta
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Reserved pasta water, as needed (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente or your desired texture. Reserve about one cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: While the pasta cooks, melt the salted butter in a large pan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently until fragrant, taking care not to brown or burn the garlic.
- Toss Pasta with Garlic Butter: Add the drained pasta directly into the pan with the garlic butter. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the buttery garlic sauce.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss again to combine and start forming the creamy sauce.
- Create Silky Sauce: Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time while continuously tossing the pasta. This will loosen the sauce and give it a glossy, silky texture.
- Season: Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a touch of brightness and garnish. Optionally, add extra Parmesan cheese before serving. Serve the pasta hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully; its starch content helps create a silky sauce.
- Cooking garlic on low heat prevents it from burning and turning bitter.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and melting quality.
- Adjust pasta water quantity to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Optional: Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of water or butter.
