Introduction
Garlic butter pasta is the kind of dish that saves your evening when time is tight, but flavor still matters. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, you get something comforting, fragrant, and satisfying. It takes less than 30 minutes and uses only one skillet. The garlic gently infuses the butter, the parmesan brings richness, and the pasta water creates a silky sauce without cream. Whether you’re craving a quick solo dinner or feeding your family on a busy night, this garlic butter pasta recipe delivers bold flavor and ease, all in one bite.
Why Garlic Butter Pasta Is a Pantry Hero
Flavor from just a few ingredients
There’s something special about making a dish that’s full of flavor without needing a full grocery run. Garlic butter pasta uses simple ingredients like garlic, butter, pasta, and parmesan, but the result feels comforting and complete.
The trick is in the balance. You gently sauté the garlic to bring out its sweetness, not its bitterness. Using good-quality butter makes a big difference, and freshly grated parmesan melts better and adds that nutty depth.
Adding pasta water helps create an emulsified sauce that clings to each strand of pasta. This trick is simple, but it makes all the difference in giving the sauce a silky, glossy finish.
One skillet. One pot. Zero stress.
No multiple pans. No mess. This dish uses a single skillet once the pasta is boiled. After that, everything happens in one place.
That makes garlic butter pasta a weeknight essential. It’s quick to prepare, easy to clean up, and endlessly flexible. You can enjoy it as a full meal or serve it as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables.
It also adapts well to last-minute add-ins. A handful of spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a few capers can completely change the vibe of the dish without complicating things.
Even better, it stores well for a day or two, so you can make a little extra for tomorrow’s lunch. Warm it up with a splash of water and it’s good as new.
Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium-sized saucepot, boil water and salt it. Add your pasta, and cook according to the package instructions. When the pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
- In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and saute the sliced garlic very lightly.
- Add the hot pasta along with a part of the pasta water, and toss it using kitchen tongs until a sort of thick sauce is coating the pasta. Add the remaining butter and keep on tossing until it melts, and add more pasta water if needed.
- Remove from heat, and add freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley leaves. Toss continuously and season with salt if needed. Serve warm with extra grated parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Notes
- The recommended portion of pasta per person is 2-3oz (60-85 grams).
- Salt the water to cook the pasta just like sea water.
- You might not need to use all of the reserved pasta water, see how much you need to make the sauce as you make it.
- Fridge: Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the pasta in a skillet over low-medium heat, and add a splash of water to thin out the sauce. Do the same if using the microwave.
- Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this pasta, as I found that it breaks when frozen and reheated.
Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 887mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 1mg
How to Make Garlic Butter Pasta Step by Step
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 8 ounces dried pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or short pasta)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently for about 1 to 2 minutes. You want it lightly golden and fragrant, not browned.
Step 3: Add the hot, drained pasta directly into the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Use kitchen tongs to toss the pasta so that it begins to absorb the buttery garlic.
Step 4: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss until it melts and coats the pasta evenly. Adjust the amount of pasta water as needed to create a smooth sauce that’s not too thin or too thick.
Step 5: Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the grated parmesan and chopped parsley. Toss until everything is well combined and the cheese melts into the sauce.
Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper. Serve warm with extra parmesan on top.
The entire process takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll be amazed at how flavorful such a simple recipe can be.
Customizing Garlic Butter Pasta
Toppings, proteins, and veggies
Garlic butter pasta is a perfect base for so many variations. You can easily turn it into a full meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Add protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or scallops pair well with the richness of the butter and garlic. Cook separately and toss in during the last minute for an easy upgrade.
Add veggies: Try baby spinach, mushrooms, or roasted cherry tomatoes. Spinach can go in raw at the end and will wilt down quickly. Mushrooms should be sautéed first with the garlic for extra flavor. Roasted tomatoes bring color and sweetness that balances the garlic.
Add extras: Red pepper flakes bring a gentle heat. Lemon zest brightens the butter and cuts through the richness. Toasted breadcrumbs add crunch if you sprinkle them on just before serving.
Pasta and butter choices
Most pasta shapes work well here. Long strands like linguine or fettuccine coat nicely in the sauce. Short pastas like rigatoni or shells catch the garlic butter in their ridges. You can’t go wrong.
When choosing butter, use unsalted so you can control the saltiness of the dish. If all you have is salted butter, reduce the added salt and taste as you go.
Parmesan adds a salty, nutty layer, but you can also try pecorino romano or grana padano for slightly different flavor profiles.
This pasta’s simplicity is its biggest strength. You can change it up to fit whatever you have on hand while still getting that rich, comforting flavor every time.
Serving Tips, Storage, and FAQs
How to serve garlic butter pasta
This pasta shines on its own, but it’s easy to build into a larger meal.
Serve it with a side salad or roasted vegetables to lighten things up. Garlic bread or a simple baguette is a great side to soak up any leftover sauce. If you’re hosting or just want a little extra presentation, top with shaved parmesan and a drizzle of good olive oil.
Portion sizes vary, but this recipe comfortably feeds two as a main dish or four as a side.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so it may feel drier the next day.
To reheat, add a splash of water to the skillet and warm over low to medium heat. Stir gently to bring the sauce back together.
You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between. Again, a bit of water or broth helps loosen the sauce.
Avoid freezing this dish. The butter and cheese can separate when thawed and change the texture of the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use minced garlic instead of sliced?
Yes, but be careful not to burn it. Sliced garlic cooks more gently, so if you use minced garlic, sauté it quickly over low heat and stir often so it does not brown too fast or turn bitter.
What’s the best pasta for garlic butter sauce?
Spaghetti, linguine, and fettuccine are classic choices because their long strands get coated evenly in the garlic butter. Short shapes like penne, rotini, or shells also work well and catch the sauce in their ridges and curves.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. You can swap in dairy free butter and skip the parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative. The flavor and richness will be a bit different, but you will still get a garlicky, glossy sauce that coats the pasta.
Why use pasta water?
Pasta water contains starch from the cooked pasta, which helps the butter and cheese emulsify and cling to the noodles. Adding small splashes as you toss creates a creamier, more cohesive garlic butter sauce that does not feel greasy or separate.
Conclusion
Garlic butter pasta is proof that you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make something truly satisfying. With only a few pantry staples and 20 minutes of cooking time, this dish brings comfort, flavor, and flexibility to your table. Whether served plain or customized with your favorite additions, it never fails to impress. It’s the kind of meal you can rely on after a long day, share with guests, or tweak based on what’s in your kitchen. One bite and it becomes a new favorite—simple, rich, and completely satisfying.