5-Ingredient Lazy Girl’s Garlic Butter Pasta
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.
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)
Instructions
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- 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
- 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
- Add the drained pasta straight into the pan with the garlic butter. Toss to coat well.
Add Parmesan
- Sprinkle in the parmesan and pour in a little pasta water. Toss until everything is glossy and lightly saucy. Add more water as needed.
Serve & Sprinkle
- Plate up with extra parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Eat immediately!
Notes
Substitutions & Swaps
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!
- 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
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!
Nutrition
Calories: 525kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 14gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 380mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
