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Close-up of a pan filled with perfectly cooked spaghetti, topped with grated cheese, fresh parsley, and chili flakes. Learn how to make pasta recipes like a pro.

Simple Garlic Butter Pasta

Learn to make a restaurant-quality pasta dish with this simple garlic butter recipe. This recipe focuses on technique to create a silky sauce.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Garlic Sizzle Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 head garlic peeled and minced
  • 1/2 pound your favorite pasta
  • Kosher salt for pasta water
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Optional additions
  • parsley roughly chopped
  • red pepper flakes
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Small saucepan
  • Spider or tongs
  • Serving bowl

Method
 

  1. Set a large pot of water over high heat to boil. While the water heats, peel and mince the garlic cloves.
  2. Once the water is boiling, season it generously with salt and add the pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente.
  3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring or swirling occasionally, for 3 to 7 minutes, until the garlic turns golden. Immediately transfer the garlic butter to a serving bowl. The garlic can quickly go from golden and sweet to brown and bitter.
  4. Use a spider or tongs to transfer the cooked pasta directly into the serving bowl with the garlic butter. Toss the pasta to coat, adding pasta water a little at a time as needed to create a silky sauce. Mix in or top with any optional additions you are using and serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe highlights the importance of small techniques, like properly salting pasta water and using pasta water to create a sauce. The key is to emulsify the butter, garlic, and pasta water into a smooth, cohesive sauce.

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