Description
This Easy Butter Garlic Spaghetti recipe is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and finished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant and lightly golden, approximately 1-2 minutes, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss the pasta to coat evenly. Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
- Season: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the butter garlic spaghetti immediately, topped generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Reserved pasta water contains starch, which helps create a silky sauce; reserve some before draining the pasta.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor; pre-minced garlic in jars can be less vibrant.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a little more butter.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
