Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Parmesan Noodles
A fast, comforting, and indulgent noodle dish featuring a rich garlic butter parmesan sauce that comes together in under 20 minutes using simple pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine noodles
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half, stirring constantly. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water to loosen.
- Lower heat to medium-low and gradually add 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and silky smooth.
- Season sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste.
- Add drained noodles to the skillet and toss gently to coat with sauce. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired creaminess.
- Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top, toss once more, and serve immediately.
Notes
Slowly add parmesan over low heat while stirring to avoid clumping. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and keep it creamy. Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. Freshly grated parmesan melts better than pre-grated. For dairy-free, substitute vegan butter, nutritional yeast, and coconut or cashew cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup of noodl
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Protein: 15
Keywords: quick noodles, garlic butter noodles, parmesan pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, homemade noodles