Garlic Butter Pasta (20-minute Recipe)

This easy garlic butter pasta is ready in just 20 minutes! Fresh garlic, Parmesan, and lemon come together in a rich, silky sauce made without heavy cream. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or side dish.

This easy garlic butter pasta is made with just six main ingredients and comes together in 20 minutes. As a recipe developer, I've found that the secret to silky garlic butter sauce is gently cooking the garlic and tossing the pasta with starchy cooking water before adding the Parmesan. A little fresh lemon brightens the rich, buttery sauce, creating a flavorful vegetarian dinner without any heavy cream.

For another easy weeknight meal featuring fresh greens, try my creamy green pasta sauce.

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce
• 🍝 Ingredients & Substitutions
• 🔪 How to Make Garlic Butter Pasta
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips For Silky Garlic Butter Pasta
• What To Serve with Butter and Garlic Pasta
• Storage & Reheating
• 🍽 More Pasta Recipes
• Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

⭐️ Why You'll Love This Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce

• Ready in 20 minutes: An easy weeknight dinner made with simple pantry ingredients.
• Rich and creamy without cream: Butter and starchy pasta water create a silky sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti.
• Versatile: Serve it as a vegetarian main dish or pair it with vegetables, seafood, or your favorite protein.

🍝 Ingredients & Substitutions

• Pasta - Long, thin noodles work well with the silky sauce. Spaghetti, angel hair, linguine, or bucatini noodles all work great. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta if needed.
• Butter - Salted or unsalted works here, but you won't need to add as much salt at the end if you use salted butter.
• Garlic - Freshly minced or thinly sliced garlic gives the sauce its signature flavor. I recommend fresh garlic rather than garlic powder for this recipe.
• Parmesan cheese - Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and adds a rich, nutty flavor.
• Lemon - Balances the richness of the butter and Parmesan.
• Fresh parsley - Adds freshness and color. Fresh basil is another delicious option.

For a dairy-free version: Use plant-based butter and substitute vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for the cheese.

🔪 How to Make Garlic Butter Pasta

Over high heat, bring a large pot of (salted) water to a boil. Cook pasta according to (al dente) package instructions. After pasta is cooked, set aside 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Add cooked pasta to the skillet, along with ¼ cup of pasta water, and gently coat the noodles using kitchen tongs. Add more pasta water if needed, and toss noodles, until you have a silky sauce.

Remove from heat, add grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and toss once more. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips For Silky Garlic Butter Pasta

• Don't brown the garlic. Cook it gently over medium-low heat until fragrant. Browned garlic can taste bitter and overpower the delicate butter sauce.
• Don't skip the pasta water. The starch helps the butter and water emulsify into a glossy sauce that clings to the spaghetti. Start with ¼ cup, adding more as needed.
• Add Parmesan off the heat. High heat can cause the cheese to clump instead of melting smoothly. Remove the skillet from the heat before adding the cheese, then toss thoroughly.

What To Serve with Butter and Garlic Pasta

This simple pasta works as a main course or side dish. For a balanced vegetarian dinner, serve it with crispy roasted Brussels sprouts or a walnut and apple salad.

For a heartier meal, add sautéed mushrooms, baby spinach, chickpeas, or cooked shrimp. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For the best results, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with 1-2 tablespoons of water. Toss until the pasta is warmed through and the sauce becomes silky again.

🍽 More Pasta Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

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