Irresistible Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

Crafting a delightful garlic butter pasta recipe brings pure comfort to your kitchen.

Fragrant herbs and rich, creamy notes dance across each twirled strand of noodles.

Kitchens come alive with the irresistible aroma of melted butter and roasted garlic.

Simple ingredients create magic when combined with thoughtful technique.

Mediterranean traditions inspire this classic dish that feels both elegant and approachable.

Confident home cooks can master this quick meal in minutes.

You’ll love how effortlessly delicious dinner becomes with just a few pantry staples.

Garlic Butter Pasta You’ll Crave on Repeat

• Savor Quick Comfort
• Master Simple Techniques: No culinary degree required! This recipe teaches basic cooking skills like sautéing garlic, building flavor with tomato paste, and creating a smooth sauce that looks impressive.
• Customize Your Meal: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken stock with vegetable broth, adjusting spice levels with chili flakes, or adding protein like shredded chicken or crispy bacon for extra satisfaction.
• Pantry-Friendly Feast: Leverage common ingredients most home cooks already have in their kitchen, making this a go-to recipe when you're low on groceries but craving something delicious.

Key Ingredients for Buttery Garlic Pasta

• Pasta: The main base of the dish that provides hearty texture and substance.
• Butter: A rich ingredient that adds creamy flavor and helps create a smooth sauce.
• Garlic: A flavor-packed ingredient that provides a robust and aromatic base for the sauce.

• Tomato Paste: A concentrated ingredient that adds depth and rich umami flavor to the sauce.
• Chicken Stock: A liquid that builds complexity and enriches the overall taste of the dish.
• Black Pepper, Chili Flakes, Mixed Herbs: Seasonings that contribute warmth, heat, and herbal notes to the recipe.

• Parmesan Cheese: A salty and tangy cheese that adds a sharp, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the final dish.

Simple Steps to a Creamy Garlic Pasta Dish

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook pasta in a pot of generously salted water with a splash of olive oil. Follow the package guidelines to achieve that ideal al dente texture.

Once cooked, drain the pasta but keep a small cup of pasta water nearby for later magic.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Grab a skillet and melt butter over medium heat.

Toss in finely chopped garlic and let it dance until it turns a gorgeous golden color, releasing its aromatic charm. This should take about 60 seconds.

Step 3: Build Depth of Flavor

Add tomato paste to the skillet and let it sizzle. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to unlock its rich, concentrated taste.

This step transforms your simple sauce into something extraordinary.

Step 4: Craft the Sauce

• Black pepper
• Chili flakes
• Mixed herbs

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, letting the ingredients mingle and create a symphony of flavors.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Introduce the cooked pasta to the simmering sauce. Toss and coat every single strand thoroughly.

Let it cook for an additional minute on medium-high heat, allowing the pasta to absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 6: Final Flavor Burst

Remove the skillet from heat.

Stir in the remaining butter and Parmesan cheese, creating a silky, luxurious coating that clings to every pasta strand.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan on top for a stunning finish.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your restaurant-quality pasta at home!

Pasta-Making Tips You’ll Want to Bookmark

• Choose high-quality butter for a rich, creamy flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick or dry during cooking.
• Use fresh garlic for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth in the sauce.
• Toast herbs and chili flakes briefly to release their essential oils and enhance their taste profile.
• Grate Parmesan cheese just before adding to maintain its fresh, sharp flavor and prevent clumping.

Flavor Twists for Garlic Butter Pasta Fans

• Spicy Seafood Pasta: Replace chicken stock with clam juice, add shrimp or scallops, increase chili flakes for extra heat.
• Vegetarian Green Herb Pasta: Swap chicken stock for vegetable broth, add sautéed spinach and fresh basil, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
• Creamy Mushroom Version: Include sautéed mixed mushrooms, substitute half the butter with cream, add thyme and a splash of white wine.
• Mediterranean Olive Pasta: Mix in kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, incorporate feta cheese, sprinkle with oregano for a Greek-inspired profile.

What to Eat with Garlic Butter Pasta

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the garlic butter pasta's light, zesty flavors with its clean acidity and refreshing notes.
• Create Italian Salad Sidekick: Fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the rich, buttery pasta, adding bright, peppery contrast to the dish.
• Elevate with Crusty Bread: Toasted garlic bread provides delightful crunch and helps soak up the delicious sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Match Herbal Side Dish: Roasted Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers offer a colorful, nutritious accompaniment that echoes the pasta's herb profile.

How to Keep Garlic Pasta Fresh and Delicious

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the pasta is completely cooled before sealing.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm gently in a pan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly.
• Microwave Method: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to prevent dryness.
• Freezing Option: Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Common Garlic Pasta Questions—Answered

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh mixed herbs?

Yes, you can substitute dried herbs. Use about 1/3 of the amount of fresh herbs, as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

• Is this pasta recipe spicy?

The chili flakes add a mild heat. You can adjust or omit them based on your spice tolerance.

• What if I don't have chicken stock?

Vegetable stock or water with a bit of extra seasoning works as a substitute. The key is to maintain the liquid base for the sauce.

• Can I make this pasta vegetarian?

Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock and skip any meat-based seasonings to create a vegetarian version of the dish.

Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Indulgent garlic butter pasta whisks Italian comfort straight to your dinner table with creamy, aromatic goodness. Silky noodles dancing in rich butter and roasted garlic create a simple yet luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 200 grams (7.1 ounces) pasta
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 25 grams (1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons) salted butter

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 150 milliliters (1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons) chicken stock
• 10 grams (around 1/8 cup) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings:

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon mixed herbs

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with salted water and a splash of oil. Bring to a rolling boil and cook pasta until perfectly tender, following package guidelines. Drain thoroughly, preserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
2. Heat a skillet over medium temperature. Gently melt butter until it becomes smooth and fragrant, releasing a golden sheen.
3. Introduce finely chopped garlic to the butter, sautéing until it transforms into a delicate golden color and releases its aromatic essence, approximately 60 seconds.
4. Incorporate tomato paste into the garlic-butter mixture, stirring continuously to develop a rich, concentrated flavor profile for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in chicken stock, then sprinkle black pepper, chili flakes, and mixed herbs. Whisk the ingredients together, allowing the mixture to reach a vigorous simmer.
6. Transfer the drained pasta directly into the simmering sauce, tossing meticulously to ensure each strand is luxuriously coated. Continue cooking for an additional minute to marry the flavors.
7. Remove the skillet from heat source. Fold in remaining butter and Parmesan cheese, creating a silky, glossy finish.
8. Present the pasta immediately, crowning the dish with an extra dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an elegant touch.

Notes

• Enhance pasta’s flavor by generously salting the boiling water, creating a more robust taste profile from the first cooking step.
• Reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles if the mixture seems dry.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili flakes, making the dish adaptable for mild or heat-loving palates.
• Transform into a vegetarian version by swapping chicken stock with vegetable broth and adding roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for extra nutrition.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 405
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 370mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 30mg