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+ servings
4.84 from 6 votes

Garlic Butter Pasta

Ready in just 15 minutes, this is an easy yet flavorful real-food meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces pasta
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup broth chicken or vegetable
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/3 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice optional
  • kosher salt & fresh-ground black pepper
  • sprinkling of parsley dried or fresh

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, then add a generous pinch of kosher salt and the pasta. Cook just to al dente, according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic and red pepper, followed by broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Stir in the cream or half-and-half. Lower heat to medium. Cook 1-2 minutes, until thickened slightly. Add Parmesan plus lemon and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
  • Add drained pasta to sauce, toss to coat, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve right away.

Notes

  • If you prefer a looser sauce, reserve a small amount of the pasta water -- 1/3 to 1/2 cup should do the trick -- to mix into the sauce near the end. Using pasta water to thin out a sauce works well because the starch released into the water by the pasta allows the sauce to thin out more slowly and naturally than tap water would.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 298 kcal, Carbohydrates: 43 g, Protein: 11 g, Fat: 9 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 21 mg, Sodium: 194 mg, Potassium: 139 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2 g, Vitamin A: 277 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 113 mg, Iron: 1 mg
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