Garlic Butter Pasta Sauce is a quick and easy sauce that really delivers with its irresistible flavor. It’s made with butter, garlic and delicious parmesan cheese – ready to top all your favorite types of pasta!
I like to top al dente pasta with this decadent garlic and butter sauce for an easy weeknight dinner.
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About Garlic Butter Pasta
Garlic butter is just one of those things that’s incredible with whatever you pair it with. I was a picky eater as a kid but garlic pasta never failed my mom when she was trying to feed us kids.
Why This Garlic Butter Sauce for Pasta Recipe is a Keeper
This creamy pasta recipe is great because it’s quick and easy and great for a weeknight meal for busy families. It is a silky sauce and if love garlic then you will love this homemade garlic sauce.
- 35 Minute Meal: Make this recipe in about 35 minutes it is easy and delciious!
- Easy Ingredients: You only need 5 easy ingredients to make this garlic pasta delicious pasta. Make the garlic sauce and freeze for later.
- Family Friendly: Everyone in the family, even the picky kiddos, are going to love the butter garlic sauce. It is a great change from spaghetti sauce.
- Adaptable: Make sliced garlic in place of the mince garlic. You can easily adapt this recipe to meet your family’s standards. Plus any pasta will work,\.
If you’re looking for more Italian inspired recipes, try theseChicken Parmesan Meatloaf and Sauce, Italian Porketta Roast, Italian Stromboli and Meatball Italian Sliders.
How do I keep my garlic from burning?
Lower the heat! Garlic burns easily, so sauté over medium or medium-low heat. Also, if you add in other veggies, like onions, it’ll help your garlic not burn as easily.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Garlic Butter Sauce
This perfect garlic butter pasta is made with simple ingredients. However, you can add different things to the pasta and toss.
- Different Veggies: Enhance this dish, try this garlic butter pasta by adding in different veggies like onions, spinach, mushrooms or peas into your pasta.
- Fresh Herbs to Top the Pasta: Top this easy recipe with fresh parsley or chives or garlic and basil is a great flavor combination!
- Olive oil: You can use olive oil in place of butter for this easy and delicious recipe. Olice oil in place of the garlic in butter is a great vegan option to the cooked pasta.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
This makes the tedious job of pealing and mincing garlic a breeze for this smooth sauce and garlic really enhances the flavor of the pasta.
- Garlic Press: A garlic press will make mashing your fresh garlic cloves much easier.
How to Make this Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
To make garlic butter sauce for this easy pasta dish you will need to follow these 3 easy steps! This recipe using only a few ingredients but tastes so amazing. This pasta pairs well with so many things
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These are the basic steps for making Garlic Butter Pasta Sauce. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Add Pasta to the Pot & Broccoli
First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Then drain the pasta, make sure that a cup of the reserved pasta water is set aside. Meanwhile, cook the broccoli in the microwave and drain well. Chop into pieces.
STEP 2: Add Garlic and Cook
Next, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Then add in the minced garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds. Now is the time to add other veggies.
STEP 3: Toss the Pasta & Sprinkle
Finally, add the broccoli and add the pasta and then add the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley and stir slightly to combine.
Recipe FAQs for this Easy Pasta Sauce
Expert Tips for Making This Parmesan Pasta Recipe
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest added into the sauce would be a fantastic addition.
- Black Pepper: Top with freshly ground black pepper and parsley.
- Unsalted Butter: We’re using unsalted butter in this recipe but you can go ahead and use salted butter if you’d like.
- Uses: Use this sauce on wings, garlic knots or anything else you’d like to try it on.
- Pasta Water: Save 1 cup of the pasta water to thin down the sauce if needed.
- Different pasta: My favorite pasta is rotini or penne but spaghetti or linguini would be great with this yummy garlic and butter pasta.
- Protein: The best garlic butter pasta is great with roasted fish, chicken or steak! Pasta with chicken breast that has been fried or pasta with grilled chicken can enhance this simple sauce.
What to Serve with this Recipe for Garlic Butter Spaghetti
Garlic Butter Pasta Sauce
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces Bowtie Pasta
- 16 ounces Broccoli Florets, frozen
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 3 teaspoons Garlic, minced
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling water to your liking. Drain well.
- While the pasta is cooking, cook the broccoli in the microwave and drain well. Chop into pieces.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add in the minced garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Place the pasta and broccoli into the skillet, and toss to coat in the garlic butter mixture.
- Sprinkle the mixture with the grated parmesan cheese and stir slightly to combine.
Christina’s Notes
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest added into the sauce would be a fantastic addition.
- Black Pepper: Top with freshly ground black pepper and parsley.
- Butter: We’re using unsalted butter in this recipe but you can go ahead and use salted butter if you’d like.
- Uses: Use this sauce on wings, garlic knots or anything else you’d like to try it on.
- Pasta Water: Save a cup of the reserved pasta water to thin down the sauce if needed.
- Different pasta: My favorite pasta is rotini or penne but spaghetti or linguini would be great with this yummy garlic and butter pasta.
- Protein: The best garlic butter pasta is great with roasted fish, chicken or steak!
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.