Description
Silky garlic butter noodles deliver comfort in one savory skillet, blending Italian pasta traditions with simple Asian-inspired seasonings. Creamy, garlicky goodness awaits when you crave a quick meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti, fettuccine, or favorite pasta
Fat and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish:
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) pasta water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water and introduce a pinch of salt. Heat until water reaches a vigorous boil, then gently immerse the pasta, ensuring it cooks to a perfect tender-yet-firm consistency. Extract a small portion of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Select a spacious skillet and melt butter over moderate flame. Introduce finely chopped garlic and optional red pepper flakes, allowing them to dance and release their aromatic essence. Stir continuously, watching carefully to prevent scorching, until garlic transforms into a delicate golden hue.
- Reduce cooking temperature to minimal setting. Transfer drained pasta into the fragrant butter mixture, ensuring each strand becomes luxuriously coated. Integrate reserved pasta water, creating a silky emulsion. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and crack fresh black pepper, gently tossing until cheese melts and noodles glisten with a smooth, rich sauce.
- Artfully distribute noodles onto serving plates or present family-style in a welcoming communal dish. Enhance visual appeal and flavor profile by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top. Optional final touch includes an additional dusting of Parmesan and a whisper of salt to elevate the dish’s overall taste sensation.
Notes
- Toast garlic gently to unlock its rich, nutty flavor without burning, which can make it bitter and harsh.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum melting potential and deeper cheese flavor compared to pre-packaged versions.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, perfect for accommodating different heat tolerances in family or friend groups.
- Save pasta water as a secret weapon to create silky, clingy sauce that helps ingredients adhere beautifully to noodles.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg