Simple Garlic Butter Pasta

Serve up a comforting and satisfying dinner with this Simple Garlic Butter Pasta recipe. This meal is perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you're craving something quick yet delicious.

The aroma of garlic sizzling in butter fills the kitchen, creating an inviting atmosphere that makes the family's hunger pangs disappear instantly. Simple Garlic Butter Pasta combines a few basic ingredients to create a dish that’s sure to impress any and all who try it. Whether you're looking for something quick to whip up or need dinner ideas on a budget, this recipe is ideal. Let us guide you through making this amazing pasta.

Before starting the cooking process, ensure you have your ingredients ready: 1 pound of whole wheat penne pasta, 3-4 cloves of garlic, fresh parsley for garnish, olive oil for cooking and tossing, salt to taste, pepper, and Parmesan cheese if desired. The key here is simplicity and freshness. By using high-quality ingredients, the dish will not only look appealing but also be packed with flavor.

Preparation

Begin by boiling a generous amount of water in your pot. Once it's at a rolling boil, add salt to enhance the flavors (about 1/4 teaspoon for every quart of water). After about four minutes, the pasta should be al dente—firm but not hard—meaning that it has a slight bite when bitten. Drain and set aside.

While the pasta is boiling, crush or mince your garlic cloves finely using a garlic press or knife. Melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a pan. When the butter starts to foam, add the crushed garlic. Stir continuously until you observe that the color changes slightly from white to golden brown.

Cooking Time

The total cooking time for this dish is approximately 15-20 minutes including preparation and cooling of the pasta.

Servings

This recipe yields about 4 servings, making it a perfect size for a family dinner or a couple's meal with a side salad.

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta once done but keep some of the cooking water reserved for later use.
2. Melt butter in a pan on medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until it turns golden brown; be careful not to burn it, as this could affect the dish's flavor.
3. Once the garlic is fragrant and cooked through, stir in the pasta into the butter mixture. Toss everything together making sure all strands of pasta are coated with the garlicky butter sauce. If necessary, add a bit of reserved pasta water to create the perfect consistency for the sauce.
4. Garnish your dish with fresh chopped parsley and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top before serving hot.

Enjoying Your Meal

Serve this garlic butter pasta over a bed of fresh greens or alongside a light side salad for extra freshness. It pairs wonderfully well with a crisp green salad, but you can also add some roasted vegetables to make it more filling. The simplicity of the dish means that it doesn't overpower the other flavors, making it perfect as part of a larger meal.

Health Benefits

This recipe is not only delicious but also provides several health benefits due to its rich sources of dietary fiber found in whole wheat pasta and antioxidants present in fresh garlic. It’s an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and beneficial fats from the butter, contributing significantly towards your daily nutritional intake.

Storage Tips

If you have leftovers after dinner, store them properly. Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for up to three days or frozen if you prefer longer storage times. For freezing, portion into individual containers and label with the date; this way, you can easily keep track of how long they've been stored.

Conclusion

A simple dish like garlic butter pasta doesn't require elaborate techniques or expensive ingredients to be outstanding. Its appeal lies in its simplicity—just a handful of basic elements come together beautifully to create something truly special. So next time you're looking for an easy yet impressive meal, consider giving this recipe a try. Not only will it save you time and effort, but also provide you with a hearty, comforting dish that satisfies both your taste buds and nutritional needs.

Happy cooking!