Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta (15-Minute Easy Comfort Meal)
A quick and comforting creamy garlic butter pasta recipe that’s perfect for a fast, satisfying meal after busy days. Ready in just 15 minutes, it combines tender pasta with a luscious garlic butter cream sauce, enriched with Parmesan cheese and optional fresh herbs and chili flakes for a flavorful finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g pasta
Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup cream or milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Chili flakes
- Lemon zest
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds until fragrant, making sure the garlic does not brown to avoid bitterness.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the cream or milk and let it simmer gently for about 2 minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water little by little until the sauce coats the pasta with a glossy, creamy texture.
- Season and Garnish: Season with salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes to taste. Finish by tossing in fresh parsley and optionally lemon zest. Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce while silky and warm.
Notes
- Use pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
- Keep the heat moderate when cooking garlic to avoid burning and bitterness.
- Substitute cream with milk for a lighter version, but cream yields a richer sauce.
- Parmesan can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- Add lemon zest for a bright, fresh twist on the creamy sauce.