Can I use any pasta for this Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible. While long strands like spaghetti or linguine are my favorites because the sauce clings beautifully, short pasta like penne or fusilli also works well to hold the garlicky butter sauce.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make a dairy-free version, swap unsalted butter for a plant-based margarine or olive oil, and replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the secret to creamy sauce without using cream?

The secret is the starchy pasta water. Adding a little reserved pasta water to the melted butter and cheese creates an emulsion that thickens and coats the pasta with a glossy, creamy sauce without any heavy cream needed.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

While you can cook the pasta ahead, I recommend preparing the sauce fresh to preserve its silky texture and garlic aroma. If you do make it ahead, store sauce and pasta separately and combine just before serving.

Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta: Rich & Ready in 20 Minutes

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 ounces dried pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or any other long or short pasta; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided; 3 cloves garlic, sliced; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup grated parmesan; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Description

A simple and flavorful Garlic Butter Pasta recipe featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with parmesan and fresh parsley, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

8 ounces dried pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or any other long or short pasta

Garlic Butter Sauce:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil water in a large saucepot, generously salt the water, add the pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden. Add the drained pasta along with some reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce, tossing to coat the pasta thoroughly. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the grated parmesan until melted and combined.
Finish the Dish: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in the chopped fresh parsley, toss well, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with additional parmesan on the side if desired.

Notes

The recommended portion of pasta per person is 2-3 ounces (60-85 grams) dry pasta.
Salt the pasta cooking water generously, similar to seawater, to properly season the pasta.
Adjust the amount of reserved pasta water used in the sauce to achieve your preferred sauce consistency.
Use unsalted butter to control the salt level better in the dish.
Freshly grated parmesan delivers the best flavor compared to pre-grated options.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 620 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 10 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg