No sauce? No problem! This luscious, buttery pasta dish is bursting with garlic and herbs.
“Gran, could we have a classic spaghetti night like how we used to when I was a kid?” I asked my grandmother as we leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Sure, but we don’t have time to make meatballs,” she replied, checking the cupboards. “Oh shoot, we’re out of pasta sauce, too.”
I thought for a moment, then snapped my fingers. “That’s okay! We have butter and garlic. That’s all we need.”
As a quick dinner or lunch, garlic butter pasta is very easy to make. That’s why, no matter what level of cooking skills you’re at, you can make this delicious dish in about 20 minutes. When I’ve run out of time or creative culinary ideas, I whip this one up to keep things simple. And although it seems plain, the earthy combo of fresh garlic and herbs reminds me of my childhood, when my mom would make the same thing in a pinch.
And if it’s too simple for you, you can always spruce it up with a side of roasted veggies or homemade meatballs. The beauty of garlic butter pasta is that it goes great with all kinds of other dishes. Sometimes, it takes a simple dish to get the creative juices flowing in the kitchen.
Which is better—fresh garlic or garlic powder?
This recipe calls for fresh garlic because it’s more fragrant and flavorful, with a nice bite to it. But if you lack the raw stuff, you can always use a teaspoon of garlic powder instead of four cloves. Although I like to use two teaspoons for extra flavor, to mimic the powerful fresh flavor. Feel free to make it both ways—one with fresh garlic and one with garlic powder—to see which you prefer.
How do I store leftovers?
Let the garlic butter pasta cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container to refrigerate for 3-5 days. Then you can either heat it up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or cook it in a little olive oil in a frying pan on the stove. For longer storage, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Serving suggestions
As if this dish isn’t low-effort enough, make your dinnertime even more relaxing by pairing your garlic butter pasta with a glass of White Sangria or Wine Spritzer. If you want to expand upon this to add a bit more nutrition to the meal, pair it with Spinach And Mushrooms, Roasted Brussels Sprouts And Asparagus, or Beet Salad With Feta. And if you need more protein, top off your pasta with some Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 8 ounces dried spaghetti
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the pasta. Cook until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water then drain the pasta.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to brown the garlic.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and gradually add reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Stir constantly to blend flavors.
- Remove from heat and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with the remaining salt, black pepper, and dried basil as needed.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or parsley, if you like, then enjoy.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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