Description
Garlic butter pasta is a quick, comforting meal that combines tender pasta with a buttery garlic-infused tomato sauce and a touch of parmesan. It’s perfect for beginner cooks and busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200g pasta (about 7 oz)
- 25g salted butter (1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 150ml chicken stock (½ cup + 2 tablespoons)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon mixed herbs
- 10g freshly grated parmesan (about ⅛ cup)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente—firm with a slight bite. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of the pasta water just in case the sauce needs thinning.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly golden. Avoid browning the garlic to prevent bitterness.
- Add the Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one to two minutes to deepen its flavor and reduce acidity. This will help the paste blend smoothly into the sauce.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken stock and add the black pepper, red chili flakes, and dried herbs. Mix well and bring the sauce to a gentle boil to combine all the flavors.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss it in the sauce until evenly coated. Let it cook for another minute so the pasta absorbs some of the flavor.
- Finish with Butter and Cheese: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the remaining butter and grated parmesan. Toss until the cheese melts and the pasta becomes glossy and rich.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle with more parmesan on top. Serve warm and enjoy the comfort in every bite.
Notes
- For extra richness, increase the amount of butter or cheese slightly. Want a creamier version? Add a splash of cream with the stock. If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply swap chicken stock for vegetable stock. Save and use pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For the best results, grate the parmesan fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese. To make it spicy, increase the amount of chili flakes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg