I prepared my Easy Butter Garlic Noodles using 12 oz spaghetti, unsalted butter, and garlic thinly sliced with red pepper flakes. A touch of salt and pepper, along with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan, combines to create a dish that celebrates simplicity and distinctive Italian flavors in every bite.

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I’ve been experimenting with Italian dishes for a while now and I think I’ve finally nailed the perfect garlic butter spaghetti. There’s just something magical about the way 12 oz of perfectly cooked spaghetti mixes with 1/2 cup of unsalted butter that melts into a silky sauce.

When I add 6-8 thinly sliced garlic cloves, the aroma fills up the kitchen and instantly brings back memories of holidays at my grandma’s place. I toss in a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and even a bit of red pepper flakes if I’m feeling adventurous.

Even though it seems simple, this dish has a creamy, buttery goodness that keeps me coming back for more. I always finish it off with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a handful of chopped fresh parsley.

Trust me, this recipe for garlic butter pasta is a game changer and you’ll love every bite.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how simple this recipe is but still packs so much flavor—there’s nothing fancier than melted butter and garlic that makes a quick meal feel special.
2. I really like that the dish lets me play with the spice level with red pepper flakes; i can make it mild one day and kick it up a notch the next.
3. I appreciate how easy it is to whip up but still feels like i’m treating myself to something gourmet, even on a busy night.
4. I also enjoy how the parsley and Parmesan add a fresh, cheesy twist that makes every bite a little surprise.

Ingredients

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Spaghetti provides simple carbs for energy and a hearty base for the sauce.
Butter adds rich, creamy flavor and smooth texture which carries the garlic taste well.
Garlic offers a punch of aromatic flavor and antioxidants, though its bite can be strong sometimes.
Red pepper flakes add subtle heat if you like a bit of extra spice in your dish.
Parmesan cheese introduces tangy umami and a salty kick, plus a boost of calcium.
Fresh parsley offers herbal brightness and vitamins that lift the dish’s overall flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

12 oz spaghetti

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

6-8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

How to Make this

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1. Bring a large pot of salted water and cook 12 oz spaghetti until al dente, then drain (reserve a bit of the pasta water).

2. Meanwhile, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a big skillet over medium heat.

3. When butter is melted, add 6-8 thinly sliced garlic cloves and let them cook until they just turn golden, careful not to burn them.

4. If u like a little spice, stir in 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.

5. Toss in the drained spaghetti to the skillet and mix well so the pasta gets evenly coated with the garlic butter.

6. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water for extra creaminess.

7. Season everything with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

8. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, making sure it mixes into the pasta evenly.

9. Fold in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until all the flavors blend together.

10. Serve immediately, sprinkling a bit more Parmesan on top if desired, and enjoy your amazing garlic butter spaghetti!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot – for boiling the water and cooking the spaghetti properly
2. Colander – to drain the pasta after it is cooked
3. Skillet – a big, heavy skillet to melt the butter and cook the garlic
4. Knife – for thinly slicing the garlic cloves
5. Cutting board – to safely slice the garlic and chop the parsley
6. Measuring cups – to measure out the butter and Parmesan cheese accurately
7. Measuring spoons – needed for the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
8. Tongs or large spoon – to toss the spaghetti well in the garlic butter sauce

FAQ

Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

A: No really, its best to use unsalted butter so you can control the salt levels in the dish. If you use salted, you might end up with too much salt.

Q: What if I don't like spicy food?

A: You can totally leave out the red pepper flakes without any issues. The dish will still be super flavorful and delicious.

Q: How do I avoid burning the garlic?

A: Just keep an eye on it while it cooks in the butter. You wanna see it turn a light golden color, not brown. This helps keep that sweet garlic flavor intact.

Q: Can I use a different kind of pasta?

A: Sure thing! Although spaghetti is ideal for this recipe, you can use linguine or fettuccine if thats what you have. They'll work pretty well too.

Q: How can I make the dish even creamier?

A: Try tossing in a bit more butter or sprinkling extra Parmesan on top. Another tip is to reserve some pasta water and add it in slowly to reach your preferred consistency.

The SECRET To Amazing Garlic Butter Spaghetti Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Unsalted Butter: If you don’t have it, you could try using margarine or even coconut oil for a slight twist in flavor.
Garlic Cloves: Out of fresh garlic? Garlic paste or powder works fine, though you might need to adjust the amount for taste.
Red Pepper Flakes: If you ain’t into the heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few drops of chili oil can give you a similar kick.
Fresh Parsley: No parsley around? Basil or even cilantro can add a fresh note, though it changes the flavor just a bit.
Parmesan Cheese: If you don’t have Parmesan, you can substitute it with Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese for a similar cheesy taste.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you watch the garlic real carefully so it just turns a light golden color; if it burns, it’ll taste bitter and ruin the dish.
2. Always set aside a little bit of pasta water before draining; it’s a secret trick to help the sauce mix in smoother and not get too dry.
3. Once your pasta is in the pan, try not to overcook it in the garlic butter so it keeps that perfect al dente bite, even if the pan gets hot.
4. If you’re using Parmesan, add it after you take the pan off the heat so it melts nicely without turning clumpy; mixing it in too early can make things weird.

The SECRET To Amazing Garlic Butter Spaghetti Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

700

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot – for boiling the water and cooking the spaghetti properly
2. Colander – to drain the pasta after it is cooked
3. Skillet – a big, heavy skillet to melt the butter and cook the garlic
4. Knife – for thinly slicing the garlic cloves
5. Cutting board – to safely slice the garlic and chop the parsley
6. Measuring cups – to measure out the butter and Parmesan cheese accurately
7. Measuring spoons – needed for the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
8. Tongs or large spoon – to toss the spaghetti well in the garlic butter sauce

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
6-8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water and cook 12 oz spaghetti until al dente, then drain (reserve a bit of the pasta water).
Meanwhile, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a big skillet over medium heat.
When butter is melted, add 6-8 thinly sliced garlic cloves and let them cook until they just turn golden, careful not to burn them.
If u like a little spice, stir in 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.
Toss in the drained spaghetti to the skillet and mix well so the pasta gets evenly coated with the garlic butter.
If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water for extra creaminess.
Season everything with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, making sure it mixes into the pasta evenly.
Fold in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until all the flavors blend together.
Serve immediately, sprinkling a bit more Parmesan on top if desired, and enjoy your amazing garlic butter spaghetti!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.