Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

Again, we are exploring the world of “meals under 30 minutes”. I’m always on the lookout for my fellow mums (and dads!) and how we can make the perfect weeknight dinner that is quick to throw together but doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Not only is this particular meal ready in such a short amount of time, it also is easy to put together. Some thirty minute meals might require a bit of knife work. And, those with small children know that making dinner with sharp knives adds another layer of difficulty. Tiny people running under your prep area can be something to manipulate your way around.

So, for the working parents looking for a quick and relatively hands-off recipe, this one’s for you! Less knife cuts, more flavour, and perhaps even a sip (or swig) of the additional wine. Whether you’re a garlic bread enthusiast or simply on the hunt for new creamy pasta recipes, this creamy garlic pasta dish is a must-try.

Why choose Creamy Garlic Pasta?

Creamy garlic pasta is the ultimate comfort food, blending the rich flavors of heavy cream and garlic confit (or fresh garlic) with the simplicity of pasta. This dish is perfect for those nights when you need a quick and satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on taste. The creamy garlic butter sauce envelops each strand of pasta, creating a luscious and indulgent experience. Whether you’re a garlic bread enthusiast or simply on the hunt for new creamy pasta recipes, this creamy garlic pasta is a must-try. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s bound to become a family favourite.

Ingredient list for Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta with Fresh Parsley

• Garlic confit – I always have a jar of garlic confit in my fridge ready to go! But if you aren’t like me and don’t always have a ready made jar or simply aren’t in the mood for making it, fresh garlic will work just fine. Use roughly 6 cloves of fresh garlic to really get that garlic flavor throughout!
• Olive oil or garlic confit oil – Extra virgin olive oil is always best! If you have opted to use garlic confit in this recipe, then this is the perfect use for all that garlic infused olive oil from our garlic confit.
• Shallots – shallots are a little sweeter than an onion and I like to use them when I am looking for a milder flavor.
• White wine – any white wine will work here. I have used a light and crisp Riesling.
• Butter – unsalted or salted butter works well in this recipe.
• Cream – Try and use a heavy full fat cream if possible. If you want a lighter sauce, light cream is a great substitute.
• Chicken stock (optional, for boiling pasta)
• Parsley – to add a little freshness that will cut through a very heavy and rich sauce.
• Pasta – any shape

Making the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent. Pour in the dry white wine and let it reduce by half. Stir in the heavy cream. If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute heavy cream with light cream, though the sauce will be thinner. Add the garlic confit and olive oil or garlic confit oil, and let the sauce simmer until it thickens.

Cooking the Pasta

Cooking the pasta is a breeze and sets the foundation for this delicious dish. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your preferred pasta—be it spaghetti, linguine, or any other shape—and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water; this starchy liquid will help bind the sauce to the pasta later. Once drained, set the pasta aside and get ready to create the creamy garlic butter sauce.

Making the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

The creamy garlic butter sauce is the heart of this recipe, bringing all the flavors together. Begin by melting unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic or the garlic confit and sauté for about a minute until it becomes fragrant. Slowly add in the butter so an emulsified sauce forms. We don’t want a broken butter sauce! Next, stir in heavy cream and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, thickening to a velvety consistency. And, that’s it! Your creamy garlic butter sauce is ready to shine.

Which White Wine?

Okay, okay – let’s talk wines. It can be hard to find the perfect cooking wine. Some will live by the rule that the wine you cook with should be the wine you drink. Others will happily reach down to the discount section and get the cheapest bottle there is.

For me? I’m somewhere in the middle. Not a wine connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, I still appreciate using something that I can have a glass of while I cook. This means I’m on the hunt for a wine that is drinkable but not necessarily top shelf.

The most important rule is that you want to avoid the sweet section. Nothing that could be used in a sweet cocktail or for dessert. For this recipe, a Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc would do the job.

For a lighter version of the sauce, consider using light cream instead of heavy cream. This will result in a thinner consistency but still provide a rich flavor.

Enhancing the Flavor

To take your creamy garlic butter sauce to the next level, consider adding a few extra ingredients. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes will do the trick. Fresh parsley not only adds a pop of color but also a burst of freshness that complements the richness of the sauce. These simple additions can transform your creamy garlic pasta into a gourmet experience.

Combining Pasta and Sauce

Bringing it all together is the final and most satisfying step. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy garlic butter sauce, tossing to ensure every strand is well-coated. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This creamy garlic pasta is a comforting and delicious dish that’s perfect for a quick and easy meal, sure to impress both family and friends.

Alternatives and add-ons:

At the moment, this recipe is a vegetarian one, but it could easily become one with a bit more protein. Some additional flavours to add could include:

• bacon,
• roasted chicken,
• chilli, and/or
• buratta.

Let your imagination run wild!

Other “Under 30 minute meals”

At Daen’s Kitchen HQ, I’m a busy working mum-of-two, so quick meals that my toddler and baby can enjoy with me and my husband are essential! So, we’ve put together some “under half an hour” pasta recipes for you to enjoy.

• Creamy Rotini Pasta
• Pasta Alla’assassina
• One pot broccoli pasta
• Roasted tomato and red pepper pasta
  

  Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

  Discover a simple yet delicious creamy garlic butter pasta recipe perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Quick to make and full of flavour.

  Print Recipe Pin Recipe

  Prep Time:5 minutes mins

  Cook Time:7 minutes mins

  Servings: 4

  Ingredients

  • 20 garlic confit cloves or 6 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil or garlic confit oil
  • 1 shallot finely diced
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 6 tbsp butter 75g
  • 100 mL cream 3oz
  • 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 300 g pasta 10oz

  Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook it 2 minutes less than the suggested cook time on the packet. The pasta will continue to cook when we stir it through the sauce so we want it quite el dente. Drain the pasta, ensuring you reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
  • In a large pan on a medium heat, bring the olive to heat. Add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes or until slightly translucent and fragrant. Add the garlic confit and cook for an additional minute. Stir through with a wooden spoon to help break up the garlic confit. Add the white wine to the pan and stir through.
  • Turn the heat to low and add half of the butter to the pan. Stir through and slowly incorporate the butter into the sauce to ensure it emulsifies. Repeat with the remaining butter. Add the cream to the sauce and cook until bubbling.
  • Season the sauce with salt and pepper and sprinkle in the parsley.
  • Add the pasta to the sauce with a splash of pasta water. Stir through until you have a silky and glossy texture. Serve immediately.