Featuring al dente pasta in a velvety smooth sauce made with garlic, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and a splash of starchy pasta water, this 5-ingredient garlic butter pasta is literally a lifesaver for busy nights! Finish off with parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, every bite is packed with creamy, savoury, and irresistible flavours.
Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe requires minimal ingredients, while offering a restaurant-quality meal.
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Just 5 ingredients: All you need is pasta, garlic, butter, Parmesan cheese, and salt & black pepper to taste.
- Quick and easy: Simply sauté the garlic in butter until golden, toss in the cooked pasta, and finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, you’ll get a comforting meal on your table.
- Packed with flavours: Using a combination of fragrant garlic, creamy butter, and savoury Parmesan cheese, this dish bursts with irresistible flavours yet requires minimal effort!
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Ingredients for garlic butter pasta
- Pasta: Use any pasta of your choice.
- Garlic: Plays the starring role of setting a bold, aromatic flavour base for the dish.
- Butter: Helps to create a creamy, velvety, silky sauce with an irresistibly buttery flavour.
- Parmesan cheese: This thickens the sauce as it melts into the hot pasta, creating a deep, savoury flavour to complement with the garlic and butter.
- Salt & pepper: For seasoning.
- Parsley: Optional for garnish.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional for garnish.
How to make garlic butter pasta
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the drained pasta to the pan, tossing to coat in the garlic butter.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley or red pepper flakes if desired.
Success tips on making garlic butter pasta
Cook the pasta al dente.
Cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend, as you’ll be tossing the pasta with the sauce in the later step, which will continue to soften.
Sauté garlic.
Sautéeing the garlic in butter transforms raw, pungent garlic into a deep, nutty, aromatic foundation for the dish, creating layers of flavour that infuse the entire sauce, and releasing an aroma that makes you drool. Be sure not to brown too much! Otherwise, you’ll get a burnt taste that ruins the dish.
Reserve pasta water.
The starchy pasta water acts as a natural emulsifier that helps to create a velvety, clingy sauce that coats every pasta evenly.
Why did I burn the garlic?
As you sauté the garlic in butter, it’ll turn brown quite quickly and easily. Be sure to cook over low to medium heat, and stir constantly, then toss with the drained pasta once the garlic turns golden.
Why is my sauce clumpy?
This is mostly because there’s not enough liquid in the sauce. Add in hot pasta water to smooth it out.
How to store leftovers?
It is best enjoyed fresh and warm on the same day as the pasta will become soft after storage. If storing, let the pasta cool and store in an airtight container. It will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Bringing together al dente pasta, fragrant garlic, and creamy butter, this 5-ingredient garlic butter pasta is an aromatic dish that’s both satisfying and incredibly quick to prepare. Perfect for a cosy weekend meal or busy weeknights when you crave something delicious yet effortless!
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5-Ingredient Garlic Butter Pasta
Equipment
- Deep frying pan (see product links in Notes below)
- Pot
Ingredients
- 170 g pasta of your choice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (45g)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt & pepper (for seasoning)
- Chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the drained pasta to the pan, tossing to coat in the garlic butter.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Season with salt & pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley or red pepper flakes if desired.