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Easy Bulk Pasta with Butter and Garlic Salt

Easy Bulk Pasta with Butter and Garlic Salt - featured image
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A quick, comforting pasta dish made with pantry staples—pasta, butter, and garlic salt—for a buttery, garlicky meal ready in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) dried pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts or 3.8 liters) to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.
  2. Add 1 pound (450 g) of pasta to the boiling water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.
  3. While pasta cooks, soften 6 tablespoons (85 g) of unsalted butter at room temperature or gently in the microwave for 10 seconds.
  4. Once pasta is al dente, reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander.
  5. Transfer hot pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add softened butter, 2 teaspoons garlic salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
  6. Toss quickly to coat pasta evenly. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the pasta feels too dry to achieve a silky texture.
  7. Optional: Stir in 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
  8. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more garlic salt if desired but sparingly.
  9. Serve immediately, optionally drizzling with 1 tablespoon olive oil before plating.

Notes

Salt pasta water well to season pasta from inside out. Use softened butter, not melted, to avoid greasy sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toss pasta immediately after adding butter and seasoning for even coating. Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep sauce clinging well.

Nutrition

Keywords: easy pasta, quick meals, butter pasta, garlic salt pasta, simple dinner, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/easy-bulk-pasta-with-butter-and-garlic-salt-recipe-for-perfect-quick-meals/