Recipe

Garlic Butter Pasta

Simple pasta tossed in golden garlic butter and Parmesan. Comfort food in under 20 minutes.

Garlic Butter Pasta takes about 20 minutes and makes 4 servings. Each serving has 584 kcal.

Preparation
5 minutes
Cooking
15 minutes
Total time
20 minutes
Servings
4
Garlic Butter Pasta - finished dish

Nutrition per serving

Calories
584 kcal
Protein
19.3 g
Carbohydrates
76.2 g
Fat
22 g

Ingredients

  • Penne or fusilli pasta400 g
  • Butter80 g
  • Garlic4 cloves
  • Parmesan60 g
  • Parsley2 tbsp
  • Salt1 tbsp
  • Pepper1 pinch

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt. Add pasta and cook according to package time (usually 10-12 minutes). Before draining, scoop out a cup of pasta water.

    Tip: The water should taste like the sea. Save that cup of pasta water - it is your secret weapon for the sauce.

  2. 2

    While pasta cooks, peel and finely chop the garlic. Chop the parsley.

  3. 3

    In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. When it foams, add garlic. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant and just starting to turn golden.

    Tip: Garlic goes from golden to burnt in seconds. The moment you smell it, it is ready. Remove from heat if needed.

  4. 4

    Drain the pasta and add it directly to the garlic butter pan. Add 3-4 tablespoons of saved pasta water. Toss everything together over medium heat for 1 minute.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat. Add grated Parmesan and parsley. Toss well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Cooking methods

On the stove

Large pot on high for pasta water. For the garlic butter, use medium heat on gas - butter foams then clarifies. Add garlic the moment foam subsides. Gas flame gives instant control to prevent burning.

On induction

Level 8–9 for boiling water. Level 4–5 for melting butter and sautéing garlic - induction's precise control prevents garlic from burning. Drop to level 2 immediately if garlic starts to darken.

Over an open fire

Boil pasta over strong flames. For garlic butter, use a small pan over gentle coals - butter burns easily over fire. The slight smokiness adds character to this simple dish.

Recipe questions

How long does this recipe take?
Plan for about 20 minutes from start to finish.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Can I cook this recipe on induction?
Yes. Level 8–9 for boiling water. Level 4–5 for melting butter and sautéing garlic - induction's precise control prevents garlic from burning. Drop to level 2 immediately if garlic starts to darken.
Can I cook this recipe over an open fire?
Yes. Boil pasta over strong flames. For garlic butter, use a small pan over gentle coals - butter burns easily over fire. The slight smokiness adds character to this simple dish.
Which dietary preferences does this recipe support?
This recipe is tagged: vegetarian.

In the app

Cooking the way it should feel

One step on screen, a timer that keeps going, and clear progress until the dish is done.

Step-by-step cooking screen in the First Bite app

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