A rich and creamy pasta dish made with butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This simple yet delicious recipe is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner, Pasta
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz (225g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
Make the sauce: Lower the heat and add heavy cream, stirring until warmed through. Slowly add the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
Combine with pasta: Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Season & serve: Stir in salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms.
If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or a splash of milk.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture—pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.