Garlic Butter Pasta with Basil
Garlic Butter Pasta with Basil
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the cooked spaghetti using a colander.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the garlic butter. Add the chopped fresh basil, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and the freshly ground black pepper. Pour in about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Toss everything together vigorously using tongs, allowing the sauce to emulsify and coat the pasta. If the sauce seems too dry, add more pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Garlic Butter Pasta with Basil
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the cooked spaghetti using a colander.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the garlic butter. Add the chopped fresh basil, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and the freshly ground black pepper. Pour in about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Toss everything together vigorously using tongs, allowing the sauce to emulsify and coat the pasta. If the sauce seems too dry, add more pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
⏱️ 1 min