Name: garlic butter pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 200g pasta (7.1 oz); 25g butter, salted (1 tbsp + 2 tsps); 5 cloves of garlic, minced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 150ml chicken stock (1/2 cup + 2 tbsps); 1/8 tsp black pepper; 1/8 tsp red chilli flakes; 1/4 tsp mixed herbs; 10g grated parmesan cheese (around 1/8 cup)

If you’re in the mood for a soul-warming, comforting bowl of garlic butter pasta, you’re in the right place! This recipe delivers everything you want from a classic Italian-inspired pasta night: gorgeously al dente noodles, a silky garlic butter tomato sauce, and a generous finishing touch of freshly grated parmesan cheese. The best part? It comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a true weeknight hero and the sort of dish that’ll have your kitchen smelling absolutely heavenly.

garlic butter pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This garlic butter pasta uses just a handful of simple pantry staples, but each one is essential—they work together to create a dish that tastes far more indulgent than the sum of its parts. Don’t skip any ingredient, as every element brings brightness, richness, or body to the final bowl.

Pasta: Choose your favorite variety—spaghetti, linguine, or penne all work beautifully as the base for soaking up that delightful sauce.
Butter (salted): Adds rich flavor and forms the heart of the luscious sauce; salted butter brings both taste and depth.
Garlic (minced): The star aromatics, infusing the whole dish with a bold yet mellowed garlicky warmth.
Tomato paste: Provides a punch of umami and a subtle, savory tang; it also tints the sauce with that gorgeous sunset hue.
Chicken stock: Deepens the flavors and creates the silky body the garlic butter pasta sauce needs.
Black pepper: Just a pinch helps balance the creamy and acidic elements with a gentle warmth.
Red chilli flakes: Adds a faint background kick—adjust to your preferred level of heat!
Mixed herbs: Italian seasoning or a blend like oregano and basil brings a lovely herby fragrance.
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated): Delivers salty, nutty richness—freshly grated makes all the difference for that melt-in sauce effect.

How to Make garlic butter pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Begin by bringing a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Stir in a tiny splash of oil for good measure, then add your pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it’s perfectly al dente—you want that satisfying chew, not soggy noodles! Once cooked, drain thoroughly and set the pasta aside. Be sure to reserve a cup of the pasta water; it’s liquid gold for adjusting your sauce later if needed.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic in Butter

While your pasta is cooking, place a large skillet or pan over low-medium heat. Add 15g of salted butter (that’s 1 tablespoon) and let it melt gently. Toss in your minced garlic and sauté it until it turns a light golden color, stirring constantly (this usually takes just over a minute). The transformation in aroma at this stage is simply irresistible!

Step 3: Build the Tomato-Garlic Sauce

Next, stir in the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes over medium heat. This deepens the flavor, mellowing out raw tomato acidity. Don’t rush this step—the little bit of extra time gives your garlic butter pasta its signature sauce taste.

Step 4: Simmer with Stock and Spices

Pour in the chicken stock, along with black pepper, red chilli flakes, and mixed herbs. Stir everything together and let it gently come to a boil. The sauce will become more aromatic and richly colored as the flavors meld.

Step 5: Toss the Pasta in the Sauce

Add your drained, still-hot pasta right into the pan. Toss or stir to coat every strand or piece with that beautiful garlic butter tomato sauce. Let it cook together for about a minute over medium-high heat so the flavors really cling to the noodles.

Step 6: Finish with Butter and Parmesan

With the pan off the heat, add the remaining 10g (2 teaspoons) of butter and all the grated parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is glossy, creamy, and the cheese is melted right into the sauce. If your sauce seems a little thick, add some reserved pasta water until it’s just how you like it.

How to Serve garlic butter pasta

Garnishes

The finishing touches make all the difference! Top each serving of garlic butter pasta with more freshly grated parmesan cheese, an extra pinch of red chilli flakes, and perhaps a scattering of finely chopped fresh parsley or basil for color and freshness.

Side Dishes

This pasta is delightfully satisfying on its own, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette or some garlic bread to soak up every bit of that glorious sauce. Roasted or sautéed vegetables, like broccoli or zucchini, also round out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For an extra-special touch, twirl nests of pasta onto each plate with tongs and place a little pat of butter and a dramatic flurry of cheese on top. You can even serve garlic butter pasta in a warm pasta bowl or with a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs for a bit of crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, pop them into an airtight container once they’ve cooled. They’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to three days, and the flavors often deepen overnight.

Freezing

While garlic butter pasta is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions in a freezer-safe container for up to one month. Just know that the texture of both the pasta and sauce may change a tad after freezing, but a splash of warm water and another handful of parmesan help spring it back to life.

Reheating

Gently rewarm leftover pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra butter to loosen up the sauce. Avoid high heat (or the microwave, if you can), as this can make the pasta chewy and the sauce separate.

FAQs

Can I make garlic butter pasta vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock or even reserved pasta water for a vegetarian-friendly version. The flavors will still be rich and garlicky.

What kind of pasta works best?

Any pasta shape that holds sauce works well—spaghetti and linguine for swirling, or penne and rigatoni for catching every bit of garlicky sauce. Use what you have on hand or whatever makes you happiest!

How do I adjust the richness of the garlic butter pasta?

If you like a richer, more indulgent pasta, simply add a bit more butter and parmesan cheese to taste when tossing everything together. For a lighter touch, stick to the base amounts as written.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While garlic butter pasta is at its best right after cooking, you can prep the sauce ahead, refrigerate, and then toss in freshly cooked pasta right before serving. This keeps the noodles from soaking up too much sauce and drying out.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Try swapping the butter for a high-quality vegan butter and use a plant-based parmesan alternative, or skip the cheese and finish with a drizzle of good olive oil and lots of fresh herbs for brightness.

Final Thoughts

This garlic butter pasta has a truly special way of bringing joy to any table, whether you’re making it for a solo treat, a cozy date night, or as a family comfort meal. Give it a try—you’re only 20 minutes from a creamy, comforting dinner that’s sure to become one of your favorites, too.

garlic butter pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5.2 from 18 reviews

This garlic butter pasta recipe is a quick, easy, and delicious dish that features al dente pasta tossed in a flavorful garlic butter tomato sauce, finished with a touch of butter and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Pasta:

200g pasta (7.1 oz)

Garlic Butter Sauce:

25g butter, salted (1 tbsp + 2 tsps)
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
150ml chicken stock (1/2 cup + 2 tbsps)
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp red chilli flakes
1/4 tsp mixed herbs
10g grated parmesan cheese (around 1/8 cup)

Instructions

Boil the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water with a little oil according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a pan, add minced garlic, and cook until golden. Add tomato paste and cook for a minute. Stir in chicken stock, black pepper, red chili flakes, and mixed herbs. Bring to a gentle boil.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce, coating it evenly. Cook for about a minute. Remove from heat and stir in remaining butter and parmesan cheese.
Serve: Sprinkle with more parmesan before serving.