Garlic Butter Parmesan Fettuccine 🧄🧈🧀 Silky Ribbons of Pasta Drenched in Garlic Butter and Melted Parm With Just Enough Kick

This is the kind of dish that makes five ingredients feel like fine dining. Fettuccine tossed in a garlic-forward butter sauce with heaps of Parmesan and a hint of red pepper. Glossy, comforting, and dangerously easy to devour.

It’s a full meal with a salad and glass of white wine — or a base for shrimp, mushrooms, or seared chicken if you’re in the mood to build.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the pasta

• 8 oz fettuccine or tagliatelle
• Salt for the pasta water

Garlic butter sauce

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup reserved pasta water
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
• Optional: lemon zest or a squeeze of juice for brightness

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil fettuccine in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Build the garlic butter base
While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 3: Create the sauce
Add ½ cup reserved pasta water to the butter and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan gradually, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened. If needed, add more pasta water for a silkier texture.

Step 4: Toss the pasta
Add cooked pasta to the pan and toss with tongs over low heat until fully coated and glossy. Add parsley, black pepper, and lemon zest or juice if using.

Step 5: Serve
Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top and a grind of black pepper. Best eaten immediately while glossy and warm.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for depth
• Top with crispy prosciutto or pancetta
• Stir in a spoonful of pesto or sun-dried tomato paste
• Use browned butter for nutty complexity
• Turn it into a creamy version with a splash of heavy cream or mascarpone

Pro Tips

• Use fresh, finely grated Parmesan — pre-shredded won’t melt properly
• Keep the sauce warm, not boiling, when adding cheese to avoid clumping
• Adjust the sauce with pasta water until it’s glossy, not gloopy
• Garlic should be soft and fragrant — not brown or bitter
• Toss pasta in the sauce immediately — don’t let it sit

Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Parmesan Fettuccine is the stripped-down pasta that punches above its weight — indulgent, garlicky, and full of cheese-laced butter flavor. Easy enough for a Tuesday. Elegant enough for a Saturday.

Boil it. Butter it. Toss it glossy. 🧄🧈🧀🔥

🧄 Garlic Butter Recipes Collection

Explore them all → Rich, golden, and versatile — garlic butter is the flavor bomb your weeknight meals (and fancy dinners) need.

🔥 Garlic Butter Proteins (Main Dishes)

• Garlic Butter Shrimp – Fast, juicy shrimp with bold garlic butter flavor.
• Garlic Butter Chicken – Crispy thighs smothered in a buttery garlic glaze.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Bites – Bite-sized skillet gold.
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Quick-seared steak cubes in sizzling garlic butter.
• Garlic Butter Tilapia – Mild fish with a rich, buttery finish.
• Garlic Butter Salmon – Buttery, flaky salmon perfect for weeknight dinner.

🍝 Garlic Butter Pastas & Noodles

• Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – Seafood and carbs in harmony.
• Garlic Butter Pasta – Minimalist magic with max flavor.
• Garlic Butter Noodles – A simple classic that pairs with anything.
• Garlic Butter Lobster Mac & Cheese – Rich, decadent, and over-the-top good.
• Garlic Butter Parmesan Fettuccine – Creamy, cheesy, and craveable.
• Garlic Seafood Pasta Bake – Bubbly and golden with garlic and seafood.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Lasagna Rolls – Creamy, rolled seafood pasta baked in butter sauce.

🍚 Garlic Butter Sides, Bases & Sauces

• Garlic Butter Rice – Buttery rice with bold flavor and fluff.
• Garlic Butter Sauce – Base for seafood, pasta, and more.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce – Bold, spicy, and ready for dunking.
• Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes – Creamy with a garlicky punch.
• Garlic Butter Green Beans / Asparagus – Your favorite veg made crave-worthy.
• Garlic Bread with Homemade Garlic Butter Spread – Essential upgrade for any carb lover.

🌶️ Garlic Butter Fusion Recipes (Flavor Bombs)

• Garlic Butter Cajun Shrimp – Spicy, buttery, and bold.
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos – Crispy shells, buttery shrimp.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Alfredo – Creamy fusion of two comfort classics.
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi – Bright lemon and rich butter make magic.
• Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles – Lazy, comforting, deeply satisfying.