I love cooking Garlic Butter Pasta that seamlessly blends tender bow tie pasta, fresh spinach, and garlic in a silky butter sauce. The burst of savory flavors, enhanced by red pepper and Parmesan, transforms a simple dish into a celebration of taste that brings joy and connection when shared with family and friends.

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I recently whipped up my take on Garlic Butter Pasta and trust me, it was a game changer. I boiled about 8 oz of bow tie pasta and tossed it with 3 cups of fresh spinach while crafting a warm, inviting garlic butter sauce.

I minced 6 cloves of garlic and melted 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a pan until it was all bubbly. I added just the right pinch of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and even a dash of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.

Sometimes I finish it off with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for that extra delicious twist. I’ve always loved experimenting with recipes like Pasta Alfredo or a twist of Resep Pasta and this Butter Pasta dish definitely fits in with my favorite Pasta Dinner Recipes.

I promise you, this Garlic Butter Spinach Pasta is simple but so satisfying, and it quickly became a must try for me.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really love how simple this recipe is – it only needs a few ingredients and doesn’t take forever to make, which is perfect for when I’m in a rush.
2. I like how the garlic butter sauce fills my kitchen with an awesome smell, and it tastes even better than it sounds.
3. I appreciate that I can add just a little heat with red pepper flakes if I want, making it customizable to fit my mood.
4. I enjoy that the dish combines healthy spinach with comforting, buttery pasta – theres a perfect balance of fresh and indulgent flavors.

Ingredients

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Bow tie pasta supplies carbohydrates that give energy and a comforting texture to dish.
Fresh spinach offers vitamins and fiber for digestion and a healthy boost to the meal.
Garlic provides a sharp, savory kick with natural benefits and a yummy aroma.
Unsalted butter delivers creaminess and rich taste though its saturated fats add indulgence.
Parmesan cheese (optional) imparts umami, adds protein and extra flavor to complete dish.
Red pepper flakes offer subtle heat for those wanting a little extra spice.

Ingredient Quantities

8 oz bow tie pasta (or another type if you dont have it)

3 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed

6 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup unsalted butter

Salt to taste

Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but it makes it extra yummy)

How to Make this

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1. Boil 8 oz of bow tie pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and reserve a little pasta water.

2. While the pasta cooks, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

3. Add 6 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes until you can smell the garlic but do not let it burn.

4. Stir in 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using and mix well.

5. Toss in 3 cups of loosely packed fresh spinach and stir until it wilts.

6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat it evenly with the garlic butter and spinach.

7. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.

8. If the pasta seems a bit dry, pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water and stir.

9. Mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese if you want that extra yummy flavor.

10. Taste for any needed adjustments, then serve warm and enjoy your Garlic Butter Pasta.

Equipment Needed

1. A large cooking pot for boiling the bow tie pasta
2. A colander to drain the pasta after it’s al dente
3. A large skillet for melting butter and cooking garlic and spinach
4. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons for the butter, red pepper flakes, and seasoning
6. A knife and cutting board to mince the garlic cloves
7. A cheese grater if you’re adding the Parmesan cheese

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yup, if you dont have bow tie pasta, any other type you have will do just fine.

What if I dont have fresh spinach?

You can use frozen spinach, just defrost and squeeze out the extra water before adding it.

Can I substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic?

Its best to use fresh minced garlic since it gives a richer flavor, but garlic powder will work in a pinch.

How do I avoid burning the garlic?

Make sure your heat isnt too high and stir it often so the garlic cooks evenly without burning.

How should I store any leftovers?

Just put the pasta in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. Its best if you eat it within a couple of days.

Garlic Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of bow tie pasta, you could use penne, spaghetti, or even rigatoni if you dont have bow ties.
If you dont have fresh spinach, try using baby kale or arugula, they work just fine in this recipe.
For unsalted butter, you can substitute with olive oil or ghee, which gives a slightly different flavor but is still tasty.
If Parmesan cheese isnt on hand, Pecorino Romano or Asiago make pretty good alternatives.

Pro Tips

1. When you’re melting the butter add the garlic on a lower heat so it doesn’t burn. It might seem silly but if you let the garlic cook a bit slower it becomes sweeter and makes the whole dish taste better.
2. Don’t throw away that pasta water you saved! Adding just a splash when things look dry helps the sauce stick to the pasta and makes everything creamier.
3. If you really like a little kick, try lightly toasting the red pepper flakes in the butter before adding the garlic. It brings out a different flavor that can really enhance the dish.
4. The spinach cooks super fast so keep an eye on it. You wanna wilt it just the right amount without it turning mushy, especially if you’re mixing it into the pasta.

Garlic Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

500

kcal

Equipment: 1. A large cooking pot for boiling the bow tie pasta
2. A colander to drain the pasta after it’s al dente
3. A large skillet for melting butter and cooking garlic and spinach
4. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons for the butter, red pepper flakes, and seasoning
6. A knife and cutting board to mince the garlic cloves
7. A cheese grater if you’re adding the Parmesan cheese

Ingredients

8 oz bow tie pasta (or another type if you dont have it)
3 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup unsalted butter
Salt to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but it makes it extra yummy)

Directions

Boil 8 oz of bow tie pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and reserve a little pasta water.
While the pasta cooks, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add 6 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes until you can smell the garlic but do not let it burn.
Stir in 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using and mix well.
Toss in 3 cups of loosely packed fresh spinach and stir until it wilts.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat it evenly with the garlic butter and spinach.
Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
If the pasta seems a bit dry, pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water and stir.
Mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese if you want that extra yummy flavor.
Taste for any needed adjustments, then serve warm and enjoy your Garlic Butter Pasta.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.