Description
Garlic Butter Pasta is a warm, comforting hug in a bowl, perfect for busy weeknights or a delightful lunch. This dish combines a few simple ingredients to create a gourmet-level meal that is rich, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta (or gluten-free pasta)
- unsalted butter
- fresh garlic (4-6 cloves)
- extra virgin olive oil
- freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- fresh parsley (flat-leaf or Italian)
- coarse salt (Kosher salt or sea salt)
- freshly ground black pepper
- red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Mince the fresh garlic and prepare the Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until al dente, reserving 1 to 1½ cups of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter with olive oil over medium-low heat, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant and just barely golden.
- Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the garlic butter, adding about ½ cup of reserved pasta water and half of the grated cheese. Toss vigorously to create a glossy, emulsified sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve the pasta on warm plates, garnished with remaining cheese and parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Always use fresh garlic for the best flavor, and be careful not to burn it. Reserve pasta water for a silky sauce, and adjust seasoning to your taste.