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Garlic Butter Pasta is one of those go-to recipes you'll find yourself making again and again. It comes together in just 15 minutes with a handful of pantry ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it as a flavorful base for shrimp, chicken, or veggies - or enjoy it on its own for a cozy, comforting bowl of pasta.
When I need an effortless dinner that I know my whole family will love, this is a go-to. This delicious garlic butter pasta with a simple sauce is easy to make, comes together in under 20 minutes, and never disappoints.
It's made with just a handful of simple ingredients, but it's also easily customizable. Serve this pasta dish as a side with crispy chicken cutlets or seared scallops.
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What You'll Need For This Recipe
- Pasta - Angel hair pasta cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it and don't let it overcook. It's a light sauce, so a delicate pasta like angel hair works best. In a pinch, spaghetti or linguine works as an alternative.
- Butter - Salted butter works best to give a good, creamy flavor to this simple garlic butter sauce. Extra salt will be needed if unsalted butter is used.
- Garlic - I highly recommend using fresh garlic instead of pre-chopped. The garlic flavor comes through best when using fresh garlic. Mince the fresh garlic finely or use a press for a less pungent taste.
- Cheese - Do yourself a favor and use the freshly grated cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano is an Italian cheese that goes well with the flavorful garlic butter sauce. Regular Parmesan cheese can also be grated on top.
Variations to Try
- More Cheese - Add ½ - 1 cup of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to the sauce instead of using it only as a garnish.
- Lemon - Add the grated zest of one lemon to the sauce for an extra fresh flavor.
- Spicy - Cook the garlic with a large pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Extras - Toss this quick pasta dish with shrimp, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies for a heartier meal.
- Dairy-Free - Use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Gluten-Free - Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
How to Make Easy Pasta with Garlic Butter
Cook the Pasta - Boil the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions in boiling salted water.
Start the Sauce - Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, then add the garlic, salt, and pepper to the butter and cook until the garlic is fragrant and just lightly browned.
Reserve a half cup of the cooking liquid and drain the remaining water from the pasta.
Finish the Sauce - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce and toss to combine well. Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little bit at a time, until a silky sauce is achieved.
Garnish and Enjoy - Serve the pasta immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and freshly chopped parsley.
My Perfect Pasta Cooking Ratio
1 Pound Pasta - 4 Quarts Water - 1 Tablespoon Salt
(Don't Forget to Cook Pasta Al Dente!)
Amanda's Expert Pasta Tips!
- Garlic burns easily; keep a close eye on it and reduce the heat if necessary.
- Add only enough pasta water to make a creamy sauce. It's possible you may not need all the reserved pasta water, so add it in slowly.
- A delicate pasta is best for this light sauce. Use linguine or spaghetti as an alternative, if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat in extra butter.
Plan to use 1-2 ounces of dry pasta per person as a side dish and 2-3 ounces per person for a main dish.
Glossary
If you don't recognize a tool or skill I mentioned, you can look it up in my Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information!
Easy Pasta Recipes
If you loved this Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe, check out these other easy pasta recipes that I know you're sure to love, too!
- Linguine with Clams - Quick and easy seafood pasta!
- Pasta with Pancetta and Peas - One of my busy weeknight go-tos.
- Creamy French Onion Pasta - French onion soup, in pasta form!
- Tortellini alla Panna - Creamy sauce and cheesy tortellini!
- Pastina with Egg - A comfort food that is great as a side or main dish!
Recipe
Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces angel hair pasta
- 5 ounces salted butter
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced finely or pressed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for cooking pasta
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated for serving
- fresh parsley, chopped finely for serving
Instructions
- Cook the angel hair pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium low heat.
- Add in the minced garlic, salt and pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and just lightly browned. Remove off of the heat so the garlic doesn't burn.
- Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking liquid and then drain the remaining water from the pasta.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce and toss to combine.
- Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little bit at a time until a creamy sauce is achieved. All of the water may or may not be used.
- Serve the pasta immediately, topped with freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- Serving - Plan for 1-2 ounces of dried pasta per serving for a side dish or 2-3 ounces per serving for a main dish.
- Pasta - A delicate pasta is best for this light sauce. Linguine or spaghetti can be used as an alternative, if needed.
- Cheesy - For a more cheesy sauce, toss ½-1 cup of Parmigiano-Reggiano into the sauce instead of using it as a garnish.
- Lemon - Add the zest of a lemon into the sauce for a fresh lemony flavor.
- Dairy-Free - Use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers - Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat with extra butter.
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