Easy to make Garlic Butter Pasta is a tasty side dish that's full of flavor and comfort.
Made with just a handful of ingredients, this pasta dish can be ready in less than 15 minutes.
Quick and easy
This butter garlic pasta is so quick and easy! And it's so delicious. I think I could eat pasta like this every single day.
There's just a few simple ingredients and it makes a great side dish or even a simple main dish for lunch or dinner.
This pasta is very similar to my orzo pasta dish I make. Both recipes are a regular in our house!
Key ingredients
Ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Pasta - I like to use spaghetti noodles, but any pasta will work. For a quicker cooking dish, try thin spaghetti. You could also use fettucini, bow tie pasta, orecchiette pasta, orzo or any pasta you have in your pantry.
- Parmesan - For this recipe, I use freshly grated parmesan cheese. The finely grated cheese just melts right into the pasta
- Garlic - You can use as much or as little garlic as you like.
- Butter - I use salted butter
- Pasta Water - Just before your pasta is finished cooking, remove a cup of the water. This pasta water will be used to add to the dish to help make it silky smooth. The water adds a bit of starch and salt.
- Fresh Herbs - Freshly chopped parsley is added just before serving. The parsley adds color but also adds a wonderful freshness. Other herbs that you can use include fresh basil or thyme.
Step by step directions
How to make it
In this section I share step by step photos, cooking method, techniques and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Boil pasta in salted water until it's cooked al dente or to your preference
- While pasta is cooking, heat a large saucepan over low heat. Add butter and garlic
- Cook just until butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant
- Reserve a cup of pasta water. Drain pasta
- Add pasta to garlic butter
- Add parmesan and toss to coat
- Add a bit of the pasta water to make everything nice and silky
- Add freshly chopped parsley and a bit more parmesan cheese
- Serve hot
Recipe tips
- Use any type of pasta. I like to use spaghetti, but bowtie, fettuccine or orecchiette works too. Use what you have in your pantry.
- Freshly grated parmesan works best because it just melts right into the pasta
- Slowly add the pasta water. You will probably not need it all.
- Add freshly chopped parsley or other fresh herbs just before serving
Frequently asked questions
Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
This dish is best made and served right away. It takes only 15 minutes so there's no reason to make ahead of time.
Serving suggestions
More delicious easy sides
- Orzo Pasta with Butter and Herbs
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Carrots
- Pesto Garlic Bread
- Cucumber Salad
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious pasta recipes!
Garlic Butter Pasta
Equipment
- Zester (for grating parmesan)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti noodles)
- 4 tablespoons butter (salted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- salt
- pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente or cooked to your liking8 ounces pasta
- Scoop out about one cup of the pasta water and set aside
- Drain pasta
- While the pasta is boiling, melt butter in a large pan and add garlic. Cook over low heat for just until the garlic is fragrant. You don't want it browned, just warmed to flavor the butter. Turn off heat.4 tablespoons butter, 1 clove garlic
- Add drained pasta to the pan with the garlic butter. Toss to coat.
- Add parmesan and toss to coat½ cup parmesan cheese
- Add a bit of the reserved water. You want everything to be silky smooth. You probably won't need all the water.
- Taste and add salt and pepper if neededsalt, pepper
- Top with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated parmesan1 teaspoon fresh parsley
Notes
- Use any type of pasta. I like to use spaghetti, but bowtie, fettuccine or orecchiette works too. Use what you have in your pantry.
- Freshly grated parmesan works best because it just melts right into the pasta
- Slowly add the pasta water. You will probably not need it all.
- Add freshly chopped parsley or other fresh herbs just before serving
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
David @ Spiced says
Garlic butter makes everything better! This is such an easy and delicious recipe, and I know it would be well received in our house. Maybe even Robbie would eat this one...and he's the pickiest eater I've ever met!! Great idea, Kathy!
Kathy says
So simple, yet so delicious!