Description
Stovetop Garlic Butter Spaghetti with a Kick is a rich, garlicky pasta dish made entirely on the stovetop with buttery, spicy, and herby flavors — a fast, flavorful comfort meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: 1 tsp lemon zest or 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute, then stir in red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter mixture.
- Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen and blend the sauce.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Finish with chopped parsley and optional lemon zest or juice for brightness. Serve warm.
Notes
- Add shrimp, grilled chicken, or mushrooms for extra protein.
- Use any pasta shape like linguine or bucatini if desired.
- Add a spoonful of pesto or sun-dried tomato paste for a twist.
- Stir in a splash of heavy cream for a creamy version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
