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This garlic butter pasta is one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to serve fresh homemade pasta. Silky noodles tossed in warm garlic butter, finished with parmesan and cracked black pepper — it’s comfort food at its most foundational, and lucky for me, butter noodles are always a guaranteed yes for all 5 of our kids. Pair it with some juicy garlic herb chicken breast for an even fuller meal!
If you’ve already made my Fresh Homemade Pasta, this garlic butter pasta recipe is the natural next step. And if you keep a batch of Homemade Garlic Butter in your fridge (like we do), this dinner comes together in minutes.
Garlic butter pasta may be simple, but when it’s made with fresh pasta instead of dried, the texture and flavor are completely different. It becomes something worthy of serving alongside homemade bread, cozy soups, or even as a base for grilled chicken or shrimp.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Pasta
- A true from-scratch garlic butter pasta recipe
- Uses fresh homemade pasta for superior texture
- Made with real garlic butter — no jarred sauce
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Pairs perfectly with soups, breads, and easy dinner recipes
Ingredients
- Fresh homemade pasta
- Homemade garlic butter
- Reserved pasta water
- Freshly grated parmesan
- Salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Optional parsley
Equipment
- Large Pot – For boiling fresh pasta quickly and evenly.
- Large Skillet – To melt garlic butter and finish the garlic butter pasta.
- Tongs – To gently toss fresh noodles without breaking them.
- Microplane or Grater – Fresh parmesan melts better than pre-shredded.
- Garlic Press – A garlic press makes mincing fresh garlic quick and consistent. If you cook often, it saves time and keeps the pieces evenly sized for smooth sauces. Here’s the one I use and recommend.
How to Make Garlic Butter Pasta
Fresh pasta cooks quickly — usually just 2–3 minutes in salted boiling water. Because garlic butter pasta relies on the texture of the noodles, avoid overcooking.
While the pasta cooks, gently melt your homemade garlic butter in a large skillet. The goal is to warm and loosen it — not brown it further.
Before draining, reserve some pasta water. That starch is what transforms melted garlic butter into a silky sauce. When the pasta transfers directly from pot to skillet, the heat and residual moisture begin emulsifying the butter.
Toss gently, adding pasta water gradually. Proper garlic butter pasta should look glossy and lightly cling to each strand — not greasy, not dry.
Finish with freshly grated parmesan and cracked black pepper. The heat melts the cheese directly into the butter sauce.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Pasta
This garlic butter pasta works beautifully as a main dish or a side.
Serve it with:
- A slice of Dutch Oven Bread or homemade garlic bread
- A bowl of Chicken and Dumplings or another cozy soup
- A simple side salad
- Grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp
- Alongside one of your Easy Dinner Recipes
It also complements heartier Slow Cooker Meals like pot roast or shredded chicken when you want something simple and buttery to round out the plate.
If you love classic pasta bases, you can also rotate between this garlic butter and Homemade Marinara Sauce for variety throughout the week.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintGarlic Butter Pasta (Using Fresh Pasta)
This garlic butter pasta is made with fresh homemade pasta and rich, real garlic butter for a silky, restaurant-quality dinner in minutes. Simple ingredients come together with reserved pasta water and freshly grated parmesan to create a glossy, flavorful sauce that coats every strand. Perfect as a quick main dish or an easy base for chicken, shrimp, or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh homemade pasta
- ½ cup homemade garlic butter
- ¼–½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 TBSP chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
- Add fresh pasta and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until tender and floating.
- Before draining, reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, melt garlic butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Do not brown.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly to the skillet with melted garlic butter.
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water and gently toss with tongs until glossy and coated.
- Add additional pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Stir in parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Toss until melted and silky.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta — watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
Do not rinse the pasta; the starch helps emulsify the butter into a smooth sauce.
Add pasta water gradually — too much will thin the sauce.
For extra richness, stir in an additional TBSP of garlic butter just before serving.
Equipment (for affiliate section duplication): Large pot, large skillet, tongs, microplane grater.
Notes
- Do not rinse fresh pasta — starch is essential for garlic butter pasta.
- Add pasta water slowly to control sauce texture.
- For brightness, add a squeeze of lemon.
- For richness, finish with an extra TBSP of garlic butter before serving.
Kid Tip
Garlic butter pasta is naturally kid-friendly. Keep it lightly seasoned and let adults add additional pepper or parmesan at the table.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover garlic butter pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to re-emulsify the sauce. Avoid high heat to prevent separation.
Variations
- Add sautéed shrimp for a scampi-style garlic butter pasta
- Toss with grilled chicken and broccoli
- Stir in a spoonful of homemade marinara for a butter-tomato blend
- Add red pepper flakes for heat
- Finish with lemon zest
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this with dried pasta?
Yes. While this recipe is especially silky with fresh homemade pasta, it works beautifully with dried pasta as well. Use high-quality dried spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine, and cook it just to al dente. Be sure to reserve at least ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining — that’s what helps create a glossy garlic butter sauce that clings to every strand.
What is the best pasta shape for garlic butter sauce?
Long noodles work best for garlic butter pasta because they allow the sauce to coat evenly. Spaghetti, linguine, and fettuccine are all excellent options. If using short pasta, choose shapes with ridges or curves, such as rotini or penne, which help trap the buttery garlic sauce in each bite.
Can I add protein or vegetables?
Absolutely. This garlic butter pasta is a great base recipe and pairs well with many additions. Grilled or seasoned chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy bacon are popular protein options. For vegetables, try steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted cherry tomatoes. Add them just before serving so they stay vibrant and don’t overcook.
Final Thoughts
Garlic butter pasta is one of those foundational from-scratch recipes that supports everything else in your kitchen. Like fresh pasta dough or homemade marinara, it builds real depth into your dinner rotation.
Simple ingredients. Real technique. Comfort food that actually tastes homemade.
If you make it please consider leaving a review. We love to see your posts! Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok! @ourgratefulkitchen
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