Garlic Butter Pasta
Garlic Butter Pasta is an easy side dish made with buttery garlic sauce, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta of choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz pasta of choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine) according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½-1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- In the same pot or a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Add the minced 4 cloves garlic and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Return the drained pasta to the pan with the garlic butter and toss to coat evenly. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
- Season with ½ teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground ¼ teaspoon black pepper to taste, then stir in the Parmesan cheese if using, along with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil.
- Serve immediately, with extra ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and herbs on top
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and prevent sticking. While pasta freezes well, I don't recommend it as it is very quick and easy to cook it fresh.
Helpful Tips:
- Prevent sticking: Avoid rinsing the pasta - that starch is what will help the butter to stick to the pasta. Toss the drained pasta with a drizzle of olive oil if you’re not serving right away.
- Avoid burning garlic: Cook over medium-low heat, but watch it closely as garlic burns quickly and turns bitter.
- Fresh herbs last: Stir in herbs at the end to keep their bright color and flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 501mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 654IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 1mg