• About
    • About Me
      • resources for a simple blog
    • Work with Me
  • Recipe Index
    • Purees
    • Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Lunch
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
  • Disclosures
  • Subscribe
  • The Beginners Guide to Simple Meal Planning

Simple Gray T-Shirt

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes

Easy Garlic Butter Pasta (4 Ingredients)

Modified: Jan 25, 2025 · Published: Aug 19, 2024 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Jump to Recipe
pin for pinterest
pin for pinterest
pin for pinterest

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!

pasta with garlic butter sauce garnished with chopped basil in a white bowl

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

ingredients for a pasta with garlic butter
  • 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. 

butter and frozen garlic cubes in a pan
butterand garlic melted together in a pan

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

pasta being added to garlic sauce in a pan
parmesan cheese being added to garlic butter pasta in a pan

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

finished garlic butter pasta dish in a white saute pan

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.

spaghetti noodles in two sizes

💡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.
a big bowl of pasta with the pan in the background

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:

  • creamy pesto pasta in a white pan
    4-Ingredient Pasta with Creamy Pesto Sauce
  • spaghetti noodles with creamy zucchini sauce on a plate
    Easy, Creamy Zucchini Pasta
  • pot of steaming pasta primavera with a wooden spoon
    Easy One Pot Pasta Primavera
  • pink sauce pasta in a bowl with serving spoon
    Simple Pink Sauce Pasta

Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

📖 Recipe

garlic butter pasta in a white bowl with serving utensils

Garlic Butter Pasta (4 Ingredients)

Marni Katz
This Garlic Butter Pasta is a lifesaver! With just 4 ingredients—pasta, garlic, butter, and a sprinkle of Parmesan—you can whip up a satisfying meal in no time. Perfect for those nights when you need something quick and easy, that still tastes great! Add a side salad or some steamed veggies, and dinner is served.
4 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 449 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 TB Butter (one stick)
  • 10 cubes frozen crushed garlic (find in freezer section)
  • 16 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine are my suggestions)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup pasta water reserve from pasta cooking water

Instructions
 

  • 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 slowly (you may use more or less depending on how the dish is coming together.
  • Continue stirring until everything is incorporated and the Parmesan has melted into the sauce.

Notes

Substitute for frozen garlic cubes: If you can't find the frozen garlic cubes, you can substitute with fresh crushed garlic.  I would use about 4 Tablespoons.  Use a garlic press and then measure.
Break the pasta in half: To make the pasta easier to eat, break the long pasta in half before adding it to the boiling water.  Alternatively, use pot sized spaghetti.
Use a large skillet: Using a big pan allows you to really incorporate all the ingredients without them spilling over onto the stove.
Make it Dairy Free: Simply swap the butter for a plant based alternative and use a plant based Parmesan cheese.  

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 12gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 271mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 539IUCalcium: 95mgIron: 1mg
Keyword 15 minute meal, garlic pasta
Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

More Recipes

  • spinach puree in a mason jar
    10 Minute Spinach Puree (For Babies)
  • 6-Ingredient Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • artichoke baked pasta in a baking dish
    6-Ingredient Artichoke Pasta Bake (No Spinach Needed!)
  • funfetti dip in a glass bowl with sprinkles surrounded by dipping options
    4-Ingredient Funfetti Dip (from a cake mix)

About Marni Katz

Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
"I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

Comments

  1. betty says

    May 15, 2025 at 9:44 am

    4 stars
    it was vrey tastey

    Reply
4 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I'm so glad your here!

As a busy mom of three, I believe in keeping recipes simple. 7-ingredients or less is my goal, and everything is kid-tested and approved!

More about me

Most Popular Recipes

  • slice of pudding pie on a plate with whip cream and a fork
    Vanilla Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
  • vanilla mouse in a glass jar with a graham cracker
    2 Ingredient Vanilla Mousse (aka Whipped Pudding)
  • chocolate pudding pie with a slice removed, garnished with crushed oreos
    No Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie
  • three ingredient garlic butter sauce in a mason jar with cloves of garlic
    3-Ingredient Garlic Butter Sauce

12 Months - Dinner Done E-Book

Grab this printable e-book and get 12 months of dinner ideas and 52 weekly theme ideas, with video tutorial bonus and other great extras!

grab your copy now!

As Seen In

as featured in with logos from media features

Footer

↑ back to top
12 months dinner done pin

Don't know what to make for dinner?

Get my 12 Months - Dinner Done eBook!

12 months of dinner ideas done for you AND an easy to use method for creating dinner menus your family will LOVE!

Grab it here!

Details

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Stay In Touch

  • Sign Up! for emails
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

About

  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Foodie Pro on the Feast Plugin

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.