One Pot Garlic Butter Pasta (Printable version)

A simple yet flavorful pasta dish made in a single pot, featuring aromatic garlic and creamy butter for an irresistibly silky and satisfying meal.

# What you need:

→ Pasta Base

01 - 14 oz spaghetti or linguine
02 - 4 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Garlic Butter Sauce

03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 6 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - Zest and juice of ½ lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
09 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
02 - Add uncooked pasta to the pot. Pour in vegetable broth or water, ensuring pasta is just covered. Season lightly with salt.
03 - Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Cook uncovered for 9-12 minutes until pasta is al dente and most liquid has been absorbed.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in grated Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, and chopped parsley. Toss until sauce coats pasta and becomes creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot so cleanup is literally just rinsing and wiping
  • The pasta starch creates the most incredibly creamy sauce without any heavy cream
  • Ready in 25 minutes but tastes like something that simmered for hours
02 -
  • Stirring often is non negotiable or you will end up with a stuck mess at the bottom of your pot
  • The sauce will look quite loose right when you finish cooking but it thickens beautifully as you toss in the cheese
  • Lemon juice is not just optional but actually essential to cut through all that buttery richness
03 -
  • Break long pasta in half before adding to the pot so it is easier to stir and serve
  • Room temperature butter melts more smoothly and incorporates better than cold butter
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre grated for better melting and flavor

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