Simplest Pasta with Best-Used Pan Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A foolproof pasta dish where the pan sauce becomes the star, using only 5 ingredients and no extra steps. This 'best' method ensures perfect texture every time. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats every strand, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.