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Garlic-Buttered Pasta

Name: Garlic-Buttered Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked small pasta shells, alphabet pasta or ring macaroni; 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup butter; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper

11 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Dec. 21, 2022

This is the best garlic butter sauce for pasta. Guests always leave a spot for it on their plates. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho.

Garlic-Buttered Pasta Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

2 cups uncooked small pasta shells, alphabet pasta or ring macaroni
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook garlic in butter over medium-low heat until mixture is fragrant, 4-5 minutes; remove from heat. Drain pasta; add to garlic butter. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper; toss to coat.

Garlic Butter Pasta Tips

How do you thicken a garlic butter pasta sauce?

To thicken garlic butter pasta sauce, add a little bit more butter. Or try using one of these other sauce thickeners.

What's the best type of pasta for garlic butter sauce?

For this garlic butter sauce, we recommend using these pasta shapes: Small pasta shells, alphabet or ring macaroni.

Should I use salted or unsalted butter for garlic butter pasta sauce?

You can use salted or unsalted butter for this pasta sauce. It truly comes down to your personal preference! Find out the difference between salted and unsalted butter.

What else can I add to garlic butter pasta?

We recommend adding fresh herbs, like parsley, on top of your garlic butter pasta. And plenty of cheese, of course!

Research contributed by Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Assistant Digital Editor

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 401 calories, 25g fat (15g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.