Easy Garlic Butter Pasta (4 Ingredients)

Garlic and pasta and cheese all together in a creamy, dreamy pasta dish?  Yes, please!  Years ago, the husband and I ate the Longevity noodles at Sunda in Chicago and we still talk about them regularly.  They were a combination of a ramen and spaghetti noodle in a buttery, garlicky sauce and we couldn’t get enough of them.  This garlic butter pasta is a nod to that divine dish, but with busy families in mind. 

With just 4 ingredients (that you likely already have on hand) and a 20 minute cook time, it's a weeknight standby. The butter and garlic pasta is kinda of a mash-up of my super popular garlic butter sauce recipe and my craveable lemon garlic pasta recipe. It’s as quick to make as creamy pesto pasta and is all done on the stovetop. It's a win all around!

And if you find me in my kitchen eating this pasta dish out of the pan, please don’t judge 😉 It’s been a long day and mama was hungry.  I promise I’ll save enough for you to enjoy, too!

Ingredients

• Garlic Cubes: Frozen crushed garlic cubes are the key to keeping this dish easy to make.  They melt easily into the butter and require no chopping, dicing or garlicky hands.
• Pasta Water: This is what really makes the dish come together.  Save the water from boiling your pasta. The starch that comes off the pasta and into the water helps emulsify the garlic butter and Parmesan into a creamy sauce.

How to make Garlic Butter Pasta

Bring the pasta water to a boil and add your pasta.  Cook according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving the pasta cooking water.

While the pasta cooks, in a large sauce pan melt the stick of butter with 10 cubes of frozen garlic. 

Add the cooked pasta into the garlic butter and then add in the Parmesan cheese and pasta water stirring as you go.

Keep stirring until everything is incorporated and the Parmesan has melted into the sauce.

Serve it up while it’s hot and delicious!

Pasta Shape Recommendation

I love using a long pasta for this recipe.  Spaghetti, fettuccine, and linguine are all great options and the ones I turn to most often.  Angel hair pasta would make for a really light dish and ramen noodles would be a great quick cooking option.

If your pantry is stocked with other pastas, then go for it and use those.  In a pinch I would use cavatappi or farfalle.

I suggest saving the tubular pasta for meatless baked ziti or tomato basil pasta.

💡Hot Tip: Break your noodles in half before putting them into the water to cook.  It makes it easier for kiddos to get them on their forks.  You can also find "pot sized spaghetti" which is just half sized spaghetti noodles.

Serving Suggestions

We are a pasta loving family, so garlic butter pasta can be dinner on it's own.

However, if you want to complete the meal and get a veggie or two into your kiddos, make a quick tray of roasted broccoli or a pan of charred snap peas. Roasted carrots are another favorite here and are always stocked in the fridge.

Additionally you can always add a protein. Make my Lemon Garlic Butter Baked fish and serve with sauteed spinach. Or (if you don't keep kosher like we do), add some slice grilled chicken right on top of your pasta bowl.

Additions and Swaps

While this dish is awesome on its own, here are a few ideas to add to it for an even more “complete” meal.

• Add in charred corn for a little color and sweetness.
• Use fresh herbs: Chop up some fresh herbs from the garden and add those to the butter when it’s melting.  Rosemary would be a great option as is basil.  
• Add salmon: Flake in hot smoked salmon for a smoky twist or sesame ginger salmon for a more Asian inspired twist. 
• Spice it up:  Add in crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
• Swap the garlic butter: Use another compound butter in place of the garlic butter.  Miso Butter would be a great umami hit and herb butter would be an awesome swap, that could then be  served with a quiche for a light summer brunch.

Storage and Reheating Tips

You can store this pasta dish in the fridge for up to 4 days.  I would not recommend freezing it.

To reheat the pasta with garlic butter, I recommend doing it on the stovetop with a little bit of added water or even milk to help bring back the creaminess. Once warmed, be sure to stir it up well, and then enjoy!

Other Easy Pasta Dishes you’ll love

I know pasta dishes are often thought of as heavy and for the fall and winter, but try out these other summer pasta dishes that we love!  They are light, made on the stove top and the perfect addition to your summer dinner rotation:

📖 Recipe