Garlic Butter Sauce For Pasta

By Justin SullivanPublished: May 19, 2022

Approved by the Delish Test Kitchen

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garlic butter sauce for pasta with garlic chips and parsley

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Yields:

4 serving(s)

Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

15 mins

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Sometimes you just need a quick, comforting dinner, and there’s little more satisfying than garlicky, buttery noodles. When we mean garlicky, we’re talking a lot of garlic. Like over 20 cloves. To quickly peel that many cloves of garlic you can wrap the individual cloves in a damp paper towel and microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Rub the cloves with the paper towel and skins should easily slide off. While we are not against using pre-peeled garlic you will find in supermarkets, just avoid the jarred, pre-minced stuff.

We know it’s a lot of garlic, but it’s mellowed out by a slow cook in butter. It’s the perfect way to perk up plain pasta that you might be serving with something like shrimp scampi or chicken parm. Did we say slow? Actually, low and slow. If you cook it at too high a heat, the garlic will burn. Using gentle heat and continuously stirring leads to gorgeous, golden garlic.

We top the pasta off with crispy, homemade garlic chips and parsley, but you can add anything you like, from grated parm to chili crisp. And if you make this recipe, let us know how it comes out in the comments below!

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Ingredients

1 lb.
dried pasta
Kosher salt
1 Tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
20
cloves garlic, 18 cloves finely minced and 2 cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup
(1 stick) butter
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Fresh parsley, roughly chopped, for garnish

Directions

1. Step 1Add 2 tablespoons salt to a large pot of boiling water. Cook pasta until al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes less than the box instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Step 2In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil and heat until shimmering. Add sliced garlic and cook, turning often, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer garlic chips to a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Step 3Wipe out the skillet and return it over medium-low heat. Melt butter until foamy, then add minced garlic. Cook, stirring or swirling often, until just beginning to turn golden and the garlic begins to smell slightly nutty, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4Remove from the heat and whisk in reserved pasta water. Add pasta and toss to coat. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Garnish with parsley and serve.