Description
This easy Butter Garlic Spaghetti recipe is a quick and flavorful pasta dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Made with simple ingredients like garlic, butter, and fresh parsley, it comes together in just 20 minutes and delivers comforting, rich flavors with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Topped with grated Parmesan cheese, this classic Italian-inspired meal is sure to satisfy pasta lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 8 oz spaghetti
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the spaghetti in a colander.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Toss Pasta: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta thoroughly. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to loosen and thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Season: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley evenly throughout the pasta.
- Serve: Serve the butter garlic spaghetti immediately, garnished with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor and richness.
Notes
- Use salted water when boiling spaghetti to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Fresh garlic is preferred for the best flavor, but garlic powder can be substituted.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without making it watery.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
