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–+ servings
a white bowl of simple garlic butter spaghetti with parmesan
Ella Cooks

5-Ingredient Lazy Girl’s Garlic Butter Pasta

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There are nights when the thought of cooking feels like climbing a mountain — that’s when this pasta saves the day. It’s warm, garlicky, and so comforting that it feels like a hug in a bowl. I first made this for my girlfriends during a movie night and they still talk about it! It’s become my go-to for busy evenings, or when I just want something soul-soothing without spending ages in the kitchen. All you need is five simple ingredients and 15 minutes. No faff. No stress. Just buttery, garlicky goodness that tastes like you’ve made much more effort than you actually did.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 525
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 250 g 9oz spaghetti or pasta of choice
  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 40 g ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more to serve)

Method
 

Instructions
    Cook the Pasta
    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of pasta water and set aside.
    Sizzle the Garlic
    1. In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for 1–2 minutes until just golden and fragrant. Don’t let it brown.
    Toss It All Together
    1. Add the drained pasta straight into the pan with the garlic butter. Toss to coat well.
    Add Parmesan
    1. Sprinkle in the parmesan and pour in a little pasta water. Toss until everything is glossy and lightly saucy. Add more water as needed.
      a white bowl of simple garlic butter spaghetti with parmesan
    Serve & Sprinkle
    1. Plate up with extra parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Eat immediately!
      a white bowl of simple garlic butter spaghetti with parmesan

    Nutrition

    Calories: 525kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 14gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 380mg

    Notes

    Substitutions & Swaps
    • Vegan? Use a good-quality plant-based butter and vegan hard cheese
    • Gluten-free? Works great with GF pasta
    • No parmesan? Try pecorino, or nutritional yeast for a savoury kick
    Storage Tips
    Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days
    Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or butter to loosen the sauce
    FAQs
    Can I add protein to make it a full meal?
    Absolutely. Leftover chicken, prawns, or sautéed mushrooms all pair beautifully.
    How spicy is it?
    Only a little heat from the red pepper flakes — and they’re optional.
    Can I use pre-minced garlic?
    You can, but fresh garlic really makes a difference in this dish!

    Tried this recipe?

    Let us know how it was!
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