Description
A quick and delicious garlic butter pasta recipe that combines perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, flavorful sauce made with garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner or a simple yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (225 g) dried pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or any other long or short pasta
Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons (52 g) unsalted butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (43 g) grated parmesan
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, add a generous amount of salt, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta and create a sauce. Stir in the remaining butter and grated parmesan until melted and well combined.
- Finish the Dish: Remove from heat. Add chopped parsley and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
- The recommended portion of pasta per person is 2-3oz (60-85 grams).
- Salt the boiling water generously to ensure the pasta is flavorful, similar to sea water.
- You may not need to use all of the reserved pasta water; add gradually to adjust the sauce consistency.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- This recipe can be customized with added proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
