Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe with Parmesan and Fresh Herbs Made Easy
A quick and easy creamy garlic butter pasta with Parmesan and fresh herbs that comes together in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or comforting meals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup (90 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and basil (or other fresh herbs like thyme or chives)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, melt 4 tablespoons (57 grams) of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden but not browned.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Slowly add ¼ cup (60 ml) of the reserved pasta water to the garlic butter and stir, allowing it to emulsify and become silky.
- Toss the drained pasta into the skillet. Gradually sprinkle in 1 cup (90 grams) of freshly grated Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously. Add more pasta water as needed to reach a creamy consistency that clings to the noodles.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Fold in about 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and basil. Stir gently just to combine and warm through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and a few whole herb leaves if desired.
Notes
Use fresh Parmesan for best melting and flavor. Avoid burning garlic by cooking it on medium heat and stirring frequently. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce. Serve immediately for best texture. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use chickpea or rice pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups per s
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: quick pasta, creamy garlic butter pasta, Parmesan pasta, easy pasta recipe, fresh herbs pasta, weeknight dinner, comfort food