Garlic Butter Noodles (Print)

Tender noodles combined with garlic butter, fresh herbs, and optional Parmesan and lemon zest.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz spaghetti or fettuccine

→ Garlic Butter

02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
05 - 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, plus more for pasta water
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing

08 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
09 - Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding browning.
03 - Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in garlic butter. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the noodles.
04 - Stir in chopped parsley, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well to combine evenly.
05 - Divide noodles between serving bowls. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely ready faster than delivery and tastes infinitely better.
  • You probably have everything in your pantry right now, which hits different when you're tired.
  • The smell of garlic browning in butter is basically therapeutic.
02 -
  • Don't brown the garlic; it turns bitter and ruins everything, so keep that heat on medium-low and watch it like you care, because you should.
  • The pasta water isn't an afterthought—that starch is what helps the butter cling to the noodles instead of pooling at the bottom, so reserve it before you drain.
03 -
  • Buy whole nutmeg and grate it fresh over the top—just a whisper of it makes people wonder what your secret is.
  • If you're cooking for two like this recipe suggests, don't double it; make it twice instead and you'll have better control over the heat and coating.
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