Garlic Butter Pasta (Printable)
Quick spaghetti in aromatic garlic butter sauce with lemon and Parmesan cheese.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
→ Garlic Butter Sauce
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
08 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make:
01 - Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the red pepper flakes and lemon zest.
03 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
04 - Stir in the lemon juice and half of the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Divide the pasta among serving plates. Top with remaining Parmesan and chopped parsley.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Ready in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
- The lemon cuts through the richness making it impossible to stop eating
- Feels fancy enough for guests but simple enough for solo dining
02 -
- Garlic goes from perfect to burned in seconds, so stay right at the stove
- The pasta water is crucial for creating that emulsified, restaurant quality sauce
03 -
- Grate your cheese fresh from a wedge for the best melt and flavor
- If the sauce breaks, add another splash of pasta water and toss vigorously