The Best Garlic Butter Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-25 · Updated 2026-03-25

Creamy garlic butter coats tender spaghetti with a hint of Parmesan and fresh parsley, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
3. Step 3: Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 tsp salt, stirring until the cheese melts and forms a smooth sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp reserved pasta water.
4. Step 4: Toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet, stirring until fully coated in the butter sauce. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and parsley if desired.