Insanely Delicious Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Insanely Delicious Garlic Butter Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that transforms humble ingredients into a gourmet experience. Roasting the garlic slowly creates a sweet, mellow base for a rich butter sauce that beautifully coats the pasta. Perfect for a cozy dinner or when you want to impress with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 whole bulb of garlic (cloves peeled)
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 – 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus extra for serving (optional)
• 100 grams butter (room temperature)
• 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta
• Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: To confit the garlic, place the peeled cloves and rosemary sprigs (if using) in a small baking dish or loaf pan, making sure the cloves aren’t too spread out.
2. Step 2: Pour the olive oil over the cloves so they are mostly covered. Add more oil if necessary.
3. Step 3: Bake in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for 45 minutes until the garlic is golden and soft.
4. Step 4: Drain the excess oil from the cloves, reserving the oil for other uses as it will have a delicious garlicky flavor.
5. Step 5: Blend the softened garlic cloves with the room temperature butter until smooth. Use a mini food processor, stick blender, or mash by hand, ensuring the garlic is well incorporated.
6. Step 6: Transfer the garlic butter onto plastic wrap or parchment paper, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate to harden before using.
7. Step 7: Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water according to package instructions. When there are only a few minutes left, reserve a cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
8. Step 8: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the garlic butter, and swirl to melt it evenly. Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning the garlic.
9. Step 9: Stir in the black pepper and then add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Whisk vigorously and shake the pan to create a smooth sauce.
10. Step 10: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, toss well, and let it gently bubble for about 30 seconds. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
11. Step 11: Serve immediately topped with freshly grated Parmesan and garnish with fresh rosemary leaves if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh rosemary sparingly to add aroma without overpowering the garlic flavor.
• For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of cream or milk at the end.
• The reserved garlic-infused oil can be used for salad dressings or drizzling over vegetables.
• Try adding chili flakes for a spicy kick.

Storage

Store any leftover garlic butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The cooked pasta is best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to two days and gently reheated in a pan with a splash of water or pasta water to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

Fresh garlic is essential for the confit method to develop that mellow, buttery flavor. Garlic powder won’t replicate the same richness or texture in this recipe.

What type of pasta works best for this dish?

Long pasta like spaghetti or linguine works wonderfully as it holds the sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite shape—fresh or dried.

Insanely Delicious Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 101 reviews

This Insanely Delicious Garlic Butter Pasta recipe features tender garlic cloves confit in extra virgin olive oil, blended into a creamy garlic butter, and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta in a flavorful, peppery sauce. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan and optional rosemary, this dish is a comforting and aromatic pasta meal that’s easy to prepare and bursting with rich garlic flavor.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Garlic Confit

• 1 whole bulb of garlic, cloves peeled
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 – 3 sprigs fresh rosemary (plus extra for serving, optional)

Garlic Butter

• 100 grams butter, room temperature
• Garlic confit cloves, drained

For the Pasta

• 200 grams dried pasta or 300 grams fresh pasta
• 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Reserved pasta water (about 1 cup)
• Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for serving

Instructions

1. Confit the Garlic: Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Place the peeled garlic cloves and rosemary sprigs in a small baking dish or loaf pan so they are not too spread out. Pour the extra virgin olive oil over the cloves, ensuring they are mostly covered. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes until the garlic turns golden and becomes soft.
2. Prepare the Garlic Butter: Drain any excess oil from the garlic cloves (reserve the oil for other uses as it is flavorful). Blend the softened garlic cloves with the room temperature butter using a mini food processor or stick blender, or mash thoroughly by hand until smooth and well mixed. Transfer the garlic butter onto plastic wrap or parchment paper, form into a log or block, wrap tightly, and refrigerate until hardened.
3. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
4. Make the Sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a generous portion of the garlic butter and stir around the pan as it melts, keeping the heat moderate to avoid burning the garlic. Once melted, season the butter with black pepper, mixing well.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Using a flat whisk, vigorously whisk the mixture while shaking the pan to emulsify the sauce. Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat. Allow the pasta and sauce to gently bubble for around 30 seconds, adding more pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary leaves if desired. Serve immediately for a rich and flavorful garlic butter pasta experience.

Notes

• Keep the garlic-infused olive oil to use in other recipes such as salad dressings or for drizzling over vegetables.
• If you prefer less intense garlic flavor, reduce the quantity of garlic or adjust the amount of garlic butter used in the sauce.
• Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant herbal note but is optional.
• You can prepare the garlic butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
• Be careful not to burn the garlic butter sauce by keeping the heat moderate during cooking.

Keywords: Garlic butter pasta, garlic confit, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta, creamy garlic sauce, homemade garlic butter, Parmesan pasta