Buttery Garlic Noodles with Parmesan
Quick, comforting, and incredibly flavorful, these Buttery Garlic Noodles with Parmesan are the perfect easy pasta recipe. Made with simple ingredients like butter, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan, this cozy dish comes together in under 20 minutes and works beautifully as a quick dinner or a delicious side dish.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup grilled chicken sliced
- ½ pound sautéed shrimp
- 1 cup mushrooms sautéed
- 1 cup fresh spinach
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve about ½ cup of pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir frequently and avoid browning the garlic.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the noodles in the garlic butter.
- Pour in a small amount of the reserved pasta water and toss to create a light silky sauce.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Toss the pasta until the cheese melts and evenly coats the noodles.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Video
Notes
📝 Notes
- Use fresh garlic and real butter for the richest flavor.
- Spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work best for coating with the buttery sauce.
- Add freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture and taste.
- Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if the noodles look dry.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle red pepper flakes or chopped parsley.
- Substitute olive oil for part of the butter for a lighter version.
- Serve immediately while hot for the creamiest texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water.
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 420 kcal |Carbohydrates: 48 g |
Fiber: 2 g |
Sugars: 2 g |
Protein: 12 g |
Fat: 20 g |
Saturated Fat: 11 g |
Cholesterol: 45 mg |
Sodium: 380 mg |
Potassium: 180 mg |
Calcium: 190 mg |
Iron: 2.3 mg