Garlic Butter Noodles

Name: Garlic Butter Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 340 g (about 12 oz) spaghetti or other pasta; 60 g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter; 15 g (about 4 cloves) garlic, minced; 45 g (about ½ cup) Parmesan, finely grated; 120 g (½ cup) pasta water; 4 g (about ¾ tsp) salt; 1 g (about ½ tsp) black pepper; 2 g (2 tsp) dried parsley, optional

Pasta tossed in butter, garlic and Parmesan, loosened with a splash of the cooking water so the sauce clings instead of sitting in the bowl.

By Simple Table Recipes · August 7, 2026

A bowl of garlic butter noodles tossed with Parmesan and parsley

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 20 min
Makes: 4 servings
Difficulty: Easy

Jump to Recipe Save on Pinterest

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Difficulty: Easy

Save on Pinterest

Ingredients

340 g (about 12 oz) spaghetti or other pasta
60 g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
15 g (about 4 cloves) garlic, minced
45 g (about ½ cup) Parmesan, finely grated
120 g (½ cup) pasta water
4 g (about ¾ tsp) salt
1 g (about ½ tsp) black pepper
2 g (2 tsp) dried parsley, optional

Instructions

Step 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2. Add the 340 g pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
Step 3. Before draining, save about 120 g / ½ cup pasta water.
Step 4. Melt the 60 g butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 5. Add the 15 g minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
Step 6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet.
Step 7. Pour in about half of the reserved pasta water and toss until the noodles are glossy and coated.
Step 8. Add the 45 g Parmesan, 4 g salt, black pepper, and parsley.
Step 9. Toss again, adding a little more pasta water if needed to make the sauce smooth.
Step 10. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if desired.