Go Back
–+ servings
top-down view of finished garlic butter pasta and parma ham served in a bowl with a silver fork
Print

Garlic Butter Pasta

The whole family will love this easy and delicious comfort food!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian, Western
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 388kcal
Author Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces (400g) spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 7 ounces (200g) Parma Ham cut into smaller slices
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 baby plum grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • grated Parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, till al dente, drain and set aside somewhere warm.
  • Heat olive oil in pot over medium heat and cook the cut up ham for 2 minutes.
  • Remove the ham and set aside. Add butter to the same pot and cook over low-medium heat until the butter is melted.
  • Then add the minced garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
  • Add in the cut tomatoes and the Parma Ham and fry for a minute until the tomatoes just start to soften.
  • Switch off the heat and stir in the warm pasta and parmesan.
  • Serve pasta in bowls and add any extras that you prefer.

Notes

    • Cook the pasta al dente, following the package instructions. This ensures a firm texture that holds up well to the rich garlic butter sauce.
    • Before draining the pasta, reserve a cup of pasta cooking water. Adding a splash to the sauce can help achieve the desired consistency and enhance the overall flavor.
    • This is a delicious but simple Italian recipe. Spice it up with red pepper chili flakes or add in parmesan cheese and chopped herbs for extra flavor to suit your tastebuds.
    • Cut your Parma Ham into small slices to cook up quicker and to easily grab a slice with your fork full of spaghetti.
    • Cook the minced garlic just until it becomes fragrant but not browned. Overcooking garlic can result in a bitter taste.
    • I prefer spaghetti for this recipe but any shape pasta will work great with the garlic butter sauce.
    • Storage - keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.8mg