Description
Delectable garlic butter spaghetti with herbs brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Silky noodles gleam with rich herbed butter, promising a simple yet luxurious meal that satisfies pasta cravings in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti
Herbs and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, generously season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge spaghetti and cook until perfectly tender yet firm, following package guidelines.
- Carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining the noodles completely.
- Position a large skillet over medium heat and allow butter to melt smoothly, creating a golden pool of richness.
- Introduce minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes into the melted butter, gently sautéing until an aromatic fragrance emerges, approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Transfer the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet, using tongs to gracefully coat each strand with the garlicky butter sauce.
- Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water, stirring continuously to create a silky, luxurious coating that clings perfectly to the noodles.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and basil throughout the dish, seasoning with salt and black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Remove skillet from heat and enhance the pasta with a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese.
- For a bright, final touch, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish just before serving to add a zesty dimension.
- Plate immediately and savor the aromatic herbed garlic butter spaghetti while piping hot.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary needs without compromising flavor.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a more vibrant, restaurant-quality taste that elevates the entire dish.
- Control sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, preventing a dry or overly runny texture.
- Experiment with additional proteins like grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta to transform this simple recipe into a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg