Name: Garlic Butter Pasta with a Twist – Easy Garlic Pasta Recipes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 oz (225g) spaghetti or your favorite pasta; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; Salt, to taste; Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving; Chopped fresh parsley, optional

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Ever had one of those days where the idea of cooking sounds like running a marathon on a treadmill made of legos? Same. That’s why I always keep this Garlic Butter Pasta recipe tucked in my back pocket. It’s got all the comfort of a hug from your favorite hoodie, with none of the effort of making something fancy. We’re talking al dente pasta dripping with warm, golden garlic butter, a touch of salt, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Maybe a crack of pepper if you’re feeling bold. This dish has saved me from dinner disasters more times than I care to admit. Like when I burnt the chicken…again. Or when my dinner plans ghosted me. Garlic butter pasta? Never lets me down. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it makes your kitchen smell like an Italian grandma just blessed it with magic. So whether you’ve got 20 minutes and a growling stomach or just need a back-pocket recipe for your future self, this one’s a keeper. Let’s carb it up, shall we?

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
3) Ingredients for Garlic Butter Pasta
4) How to Make Garlic Butter Pasta
5) Tips for Making Garlic Butter Pasta
6) Making Garlic Butter Pasta Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Garlic Butter Pasta
8) Try these side dish recipes next!
9) Garlic Butter Pasta
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This easy garlic pasta recipe takes 20 minutes and minimal effort.
Simple ingredients like butter, garlic, and pasta make a big impact.
It’s flexible, forgiving, and perfect for last-minute dinners.
Add shrimp, chicken, or chili flakes to jazz it up.

2) Easy Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had those nights. You open the fridge, stare into the abyss, and think—what now? This easy garlic pasta recipe has been my go-to when everything else felt like a project. No chopping onions. No waiting on marinades. Just boil, melt, stir, and twirl.

The first time I made this, I was running late, hangry, and had precisely zero patience left. But the garlic, oh the garlic—it hit the butter, sizzled like it knew it was the hero, and the smell alone made me forget I had three unanswered emails and laundry in the washer. That’s how good this is.

Whether it’s a solo dinner or you’re feeding the whole family, garlic butter pasta checks every box. It’s affordable, quick, and you can dress it up however you like. Want to make it a meal? Add shrimp or grilled veggies. Want it as a side? Pair it with anything from salmon to salad.

3) Ingredients for Garlic Butter Pasta

Spaghetti or your favorite pasta – You want about 8 ounces. Go with what you love—spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, even penne if that’s what’s hanging out in your pantry.

Unsalted butter – Four tablespoons is the sweet spot. It coats the pasta without drowning it and lets the garlic shine.

Fresh garlic – Four cloves, minced. It’s bold, it’s punchy, and it brings this pasta to life. Don’t skimp.

Salt – Just enough to season your pasta water and to taste in the skillet.

Black pepper – Cracked fresh. A little heat, a little edge. You know the drill.

Grated Parmesan cheese – Sprinkle it on top. It’s the savory finish you didn’t know you needed but now won’t skip.

Chopped parsley (optional) – Adds color and freshness. Totally up to you, but it does make it look kind of fancy.

4) How to Make Garlic Butter Pasta

Step 1 – Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta until it’s just al dente. You want it to hold a little bite. Drain and set it aside.

Step 2 – In a wide skillet, melt your butter over medium heat. When it’s melted and sizzling softly, add the garlic. Stir it for a minute or two—don’t let it go brown or bitter.

Step 3 – Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the garlic butter. Stir it like you mean it until every strand is coated and glistening.

Step 4 – Season with salt and cracked pepper. Now taste it. Then taste it again, because you deserve it.

Step 5 – Plate it up and top with a generous pile of grated Parmesan. Sprinkle parsley if you’re feeling like a pro.

5) Tips for Making Garlic Butter Pasta

If you want this easy garlic pasta recipe to hit its full potential, salt that pasta water like it owes you money. It’s the only shot you get to flavor the noodles themselves.

Use fresh garlic, not the stuff from a jar. You’ll taste the difference. I learned this the hard way during a midnight snack crisis in college.

Don’t overcook the garlic. You’re aiming for golden and fragrant, not crispy and bitter. And always, always toss the pasta while it’s hot so it drinks in the buttery goodness.

6) Making Garlic Butter Pasta Ahead of Time

You can totally make this pasta a little early. Just cook it, toss it, and keep it covered in the skillet off the heat. When you’re ready to serve, give it a gentle reheat over low and splash in a tablespoon of water or broth to loosen things up.

That said, it’s at its best fresh off the stove. The garlic stays punchy, the butter glossy, and the texture just right.

Got leftovers? Scroll down. I’ve got you covered.

7) Storing Leftover Garlic Butter Pasta

Transfer any leftovers to a sealed container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to four days, though the texture softens a little each day. That said, it still hits the spot for a quick lunch.

When reheating, do it gently. A pan with a little butter or splash of water works better than the microwave, trust me.

You can even use it as a base for pasta salad the next day. Just toss with cherry tomatoes and a bit of lemon juice, and boom—new meal.

8) Try these side dish recipes next!

9) Garlic Butter Pasta