This Garlic Butter Pasta recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. With a creamy, herb-infused butter sauce made with fresh garlic, chicken broth, and a hint of lemon juice, it’s a delicious and simple meal. This one-pot recipe is great as a meatless main or a savory side dish, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving comfort food.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon black pepper (preferably freshly ground, medium-coarse)

• 6 oz semi-aged pecorino romano cheese

• 6 oz guanciale or pancetta

• ½ cup white wine

• 11 oz spaghetti (or tonnarelli)

• ¾ teaspoon dried basil, oregano, parsley, mustard powder

• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, onion powder, pepper

• 4 tablespoons butter (divided)

• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

• 2 ¾ cups chicken broth

• ¾ cup half-and-half

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• ½ chicken bouillon cube

• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Toast the Pepper:
   In a dry pan over low heat, toast the black pepper until it starts to smell fragrant. Set it aside.

2. Fry the Guanciale:
   Cut the guanciale into thick slices, then into ½-inch strips. Fry it in a dry pan over medium-low heat until the fat becomes translucent, then raise the heat to crisp it up.

3. Cook the Pasta:
   Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s about ¾ done.

4. Deglaze the Pan:
   Add white wine to the pan with the guanciale to de-glaze, pulling all the flavorful bits from the pan.

5. Finish Cooking the Pasta:
   Add the pasta to the skillet with the guanciale and a few ladles of pasta water. Add the pepper and cook the pasta until al dente.

6. Make the Cheese Sauce:
   Slowly mix hot pasta water into the grated pecorino cheese to make a smooth paste.

7. Combine and Serve:
   Once the pasta is done, add the cheese paste, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice to the pasta, stirring thoroughly. Add the remaining butter and serve immediately!

Estimated Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 312 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 33g

• Protein: 11g

• Fat: 15g

• Saturated Fat: 9g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 44mg

• Sodium: 835mg

• Potassium: 189mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 3g

• Vitamin A: 456 IU

• Vitamin C: 3mg

• Calcium: 165mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Secret to the Flavor: Fresh Garlic and Butter

The base of this dish is the rich and creamy garlic butter sauce, which is both simple and decadent. The fresh garlic is sautéed in butter, releasing its aromatic fragrance and creating the foundation for the sauce. The combination of butter and garlic gives the pasta a luscious texture that coats each strand beautifully. This combination of butter and garlic is timeless in its appeal, offering comfort and indulgence with every bite.

The sauce is then enhanced with a few more key ingredients: chicken broth, half-and-half, soy sauce, and Parmesan cheese. The chicken broth adds a savory depth, while the half-and-half creates a creamy consistency. Soy sauce gives the sauce an umami boost, while the Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty note that enhances the overall flavor.

The Pasta: The Perfect Base

For this dish, spaghetti or tonnarelli works wonderfully as the base. These pasta shapes are ideal for holding onto the creamy garlic butter sauce, ensuring that every bite is coated with flavor. The pasta is cooked until al dente, absorbing the broth and sauce as it finishes cooking in the pan. The starch released from the pasta helps to thicken the sauce, making it even richer and more flavorful.

Boiling the pasta separately and then adding it to the skillet with the guanciale and sauce is an effective method that ensures the pasta absorbs all of the delicious flavors while maintaining the perfect texture.

Guanciale: Adding Depth and Savory Goodness

Guanciale, an Italian cured meat made from pork cheek or jowl, plays a central role in this dish, contributing a deep, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery sauce. If guanciale is unavailable, pancetta can be substituted as a milder option, though the distinct richness of guanciale will give the dish an added depth of flavor.

The guanciale is fried until crispy, releasing its fat and adding a crunchy texture to contrast with the creamy pasta. The rendered fat from the guanciale infuses the sauce, making the garlic butter sauce even more flavorful. The crisp bits of guanciale are then mixed into the pasta, adding both texture and a savory punch.

Herb and Spice Balance: A Touch of Aromatics

The garlic butter sauce is seasoned with a delightful blend of dried herbs—basil, oregano, parsley, thyme—along with mustard powder, onion powder, and pepper. These spices and herbs enhance the depth of the sauce without overpowering the simplicity of the garlic and butter. The addition of freshly toasted black pepper at the beginning of the cooking process ensures that the pepper’s oils are released, infusing the dish with a subtle yet warming spiciness. The seasoning is a key element in balancing the richness of the butter and cheese, creating a dish that feels satisfying but not too heavy.

The Finishing Touches: Pecorino, Parmesan, and Lemon Juice

The creamy texture of the sauce is created by adding a smooth paste made from hot pasta water and finely grated pecorino cheese. This mixture is added to the pasta, and as it melts, it forms a velvety sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. The Parmesan cheese adds another layer of rich, savory flavor, enhancing the cheese sauce.

A splash of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the dish, cutting through the richness and providing a slight tang that brings all the flavors together. The acidity from the lemon balances the creamy sauce and the richness of the guanciale, making the dish feel more vibrant and well-rounded.

One-Pot Wonder: Easy and Efficient

One of the best things about this Garlic Butter Pasta is how quick and easy it is to prepare. The entire dish comes together in one pan, with minimal prep time and clean-up. After cooking the pasta, you simply sauté the guanciale, toast the black pepper, and create the creamy sauce. The pasta is then added to the skillet with the sauce, where it soaks up all the flavors and finishes cooking to perfection. It’s an incredibly efficient recipe that’s perfect for those evenings when you need a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Serving Suggestions

While Garlic Butter Pasta is hearty enough to stand on its own, you can serve it with a variety of side dishes to round out the meal. A light green salad with a zesty vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. You can also serve the dish with some crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce, or pair it with roasted vegetables for added color and texture.

If you want to add some extra protein, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a poached egg would make excellent additions, turning this dish into a more substantial meal. For a bit of extra indulgence, you could sprinkle some extra Parmesan or Pecorino on top just before serving.

Conclusion: A Simple Yet Indulgent Comfort Food

In conclusion, Garlic Butter Pasta is a satisfying and comforting dish that is full of rich, savory flavors and comes together in just 30 minutes. The creamy garlic butter sauce, enhanced by the crispy guanciale, fresh herbs, and tangy lemon juice, makes this pasta dish truly irresistible. Whether you enjoy it as a meatless main or add some extra protein, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a comforting bowl of pasta. Quick, flavorful, and indulgent, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.