Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe: Quick & Irresistibly Cozy Dish

When you want something quick, comforting, and downright addictive, this Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe is your new best friend. It’s incredibly simple but hits every note of cozy, cheesy, and garlicky goodness you crave.

This image shows a large round silver pan filled with creamy spaghetti pasta. The pasta is light yellow and smooth, mixed well with a white creamy sauce. Small green parsley pieces are scattered evenly throughout the spaghetti, adding a touch of green color. Two forks are placed inside the pan, with one fork lifting a twirl of spaghetti, showing the noodles' texture clearly. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with a soft white cloth partly visible underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I fell in love with this Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe because it’s like a warm hug on a plate, yet it comes together faster than you can say “dinner’s ready.” It’s perfect for those nights when you want to impress without stress, or simply treat yourself.

Speedy satisfaction: You’ve got a delicious meal in about 20 minutes—great for busy weeknights.
Simplicity shines: Just a handful of ingredients, but every one plays a starring role.
Comfort food at its best: Butter, garlic, and parmesan come together for a creamy flavor explosion.
Customizable & forgiving: Easy to tweak based on what’s in your pantry or your mood.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This dish leans on a few essentials that balance richness, sharpness, and freshness. Each ingredient brings something important, making sure the pasta is flavorful without any fuss.

Flat lay of uncooked spaghetti pasta neatly coiled, a few cloves of fresh garlic whole and unpeeled, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale golden unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl of finely grated parmesan cheese, a few sprigs of vibrant green fresh parsley, a small white bowl with ground black pepper, a small white bowl with coarse white sea salt placed symmetrically around the ingredients, all arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pasta: Whether you choose spaghetti, linguine, or penne, the pasta is the canvas that carries the rich garlic butter sauce brilliantly.
Unsalted butter: It’s the buttery base for that luxurious sauce, and unsalted gives you control over seasoning.
Garlic: Sliced thin to release that sultry aroma and mellow flavor as it sautés gently in butter.
Ground black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth without overpowering the dish.
Salt: Essential for seasoning both the pasta water (like the sea!) and the finished dish.
Grated parmesan: Brings salty, nutty, umami magic that melts smoothly into the sauce.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the whole dish with a touch of herbaceous freshness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love customizing this Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe to suit my mood or the season. Sometimes I add chili flakes for heat or swap the parsley for fresh basil in summer for a twist. You can too—make it yours!

Protein boost: Adding grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp turns this into a hearty main—I’ve done this often on busy nights when I want something filling but simple.
Veggie add-ins: Toss in steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetable punch without losing the easy vibe.
Dairy-free option: Use vegan butter and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, and you’re covered.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

The image shows a close-up of cooked yellow spaghetti noodles in a silver pan, with thin, long strands piled loosely in the center. A clear liquid is being poured onto the noodles from a clear measuring cup with red markings, held by a woman's hand just outside the frame. A pair of silver tongs is resting on the spaghetti, ready to mix the liquid. The background and surface have a white marbled texture, adding a clean and simple look to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Your Pasta Perfectly Al Dente

Start by boiling a big pot of salted water—think as salty as the sea, because this adds important flavor to the pasta itself. Once boiling, add your pasta and cook it until it’s just al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the shape. Be sure to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining—it’s liquid gold for your sauce!

Step 2: Build That Garlic Butter Sauce

In a skillet or large pan, melt half the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic, and gently sauté until fragrant and lightly golden. Watch it carefully so the garlic doesn’t burn—that bitterness can ruin the whole sauce. Once fragrant, add the drained pasta to the skillet.

Step 3: Toss and Finish with Cheese and Parsley

Add a splash of your reserved pasta water and start tossing everything together vigorously. The starch in the water helps the sauce cling to each strand of pasta, creating that silky, buttery coating we love. Add the rest of the butter and parmesan, toss again until creamy, then turn off the heat. Right before serving, stir in your chopped fresh parsley for brightness and adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Top Tip

After making this Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe countless times, I’ve gathered a few tips that really make a difference and help you nail perfect results every single time.

Reserve that pasta water: It works like magic to loosen and bind the butter and cheese into a luscious sauce—don’t skip it!
Garlic timing: Add the garlic as soon as the butter melts and sauté just until it’s golden to avoid any burnt, bitter flavor.
Butter in stages: Adding butter in two parts ensures richness but also helps the sauce come together silky and smooth without greasiness.
Season gradually: Salt your pasta water well, but season the finished pasta sauce last so you don’t end up oversalting.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

A white plate with a round nest of light yellow spaghetti pasta in the center, topped with finely grated white cheese, and small bits of green herbs scattered throughout the pasta strands. The pasta looks smooth and shiny, with a few loose strands around the nest. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always finish mine with an extra sprinkle of parmesan and a few extra fresh parsley leaves for color. Sometimes a crack of black pepper or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds that nice little kick I enjoy. You really can’t go wrong with classic simplicity here.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I like pairing this pasta with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette and crusty garlic bread for dunking. Roasted veggies or simple steamed asparagus also work beautifully alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve twirled the pasta into elegant nests and topped each with a sprig of parsley and a shaving of parmesan so it looks like it came from a fancy trattoria. Dressing the plate with a drizzle of good olive oil and black pepper elevates this humble dish instantly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover garlic butter pasta in an airtight container in the fridge, and it stays good for 2 to 3 days. It’s best to toss it with a little olive oil before refrigerating to keep the noodles from sticking together.

Freezing

While you can freeze the pasta, I find the texture changes a bit after thawing, so I prefer to make this fresh or keep leftovers in the fridge only. If needed, freeze in a well-sealed container and thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to rehydrate the sauce and prevent sticking. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the buttery texture rich and smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Long noodles like spaghetti or linguine work beautifully, but you can also use shorter shapes like penne or farfalle. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

How can I make this dish vegan?

Swap out the unsalted butter for a vegan butter alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese. You’ll still get that richness and cheesy flavor without dairy.

Is it important to reserve some pasta water?

Definitely! The starchy pasta water helps to create a creamy sauce that clings well to the noodles. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in texture.

Can I prepare this Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the pasta and sauce separately ahead of time and combine them just before serving. However, for the best texture and flavor, I recommend serving it fresh if possible.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen not just because it’s quick and delicious, but because it reminds me that sometimes the simplest ingredients make the best memories. You’ll love how easy it is to keep coming back to, whether as a cozy solo dinner or a quick crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and watch it become your go-to comfort food!