30-Minute Garlic Butter Pasta with White Wine Sauce

On a particularly hectic Tuesday evening, with no dinner plan in sight and hungry family members circling the kitchen, I discovered the magic of garlic butter pasta. After rummaging through my pantry and refrigerator, I spotted the essentials: pasta, butter, garlic, and a half-empty bottle of white wine from the weekend. Twenty minutes later, we were twirling our forks through silky strands of pasta coated in a sauce so rich and flavorful that no one believed it came together so quickly.

overhead view of garlic butter pasta in a serving bowl.

What Makes Garlic Butter Sauce For Pasta So Good

This garlic butter pasta succeeds where many similar recipes fail because it perfectly balances flavors and textures. The combination of butter and garlic creates a rich foundation, while white wine and lemon juice add acidity, cutting through the richness and preventing the dish from feeling heavy. Using angel hair pasta allows the sauce to coat each strand perfectly, ensuring flavor in every bite.

The addition of white pepper provides subtle warmth without the visual distraction of black pepper specks, and the fresh herbs bring a brightness that elevates the entire dish. By cooking the pasta to al dente and finishing it directly in the sauce, the pasta absorbs flavor while releasing starch that helps emulsify the sauce, creating a silky, cohesive dish that tastes far more complex than its simple ingredient list would suggest.

Garlic Butter Pasta Ingredients

I truly love this butter garlic pasta and I’m sure you will too! From the flavor of the dish and how easy it is to make, especially with things you will already have at home, you cannot go wrong.

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Butter – Creates the rich, velvety base for the sauce
  • White wine – Adds acidity and complex flavor to balance the richness
  • Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the sauce with citrus notes
  • Minced garlic – Provides the signature aromatic foundation
  • White pepper – Offers subtle warmth without visual black specks
  • Garlic salt – Enhances flavors while adding necessary seasoning
  • Fresh chives – Contributes mild onion flavor and vibrant color
  • Angel hair pasta – Provides the perfect delicate texture for the light sauce
  • Parmesan cheese – Adds savory depth and creamy finish
garlic butter pasta ingredients on a tray.

It is better to use salted or unsalted butter in the garlic butter sauce?

Since the only other salt in the recipe is garlic salt, you would probably enjoy using salted butter. However, you can truly use either salted or unsalted.

If you are a little salt-sensitive, I would start with unsalted butter and then you can always add more salt to suit your preference.

Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away so add a little bit at a time and then taste to test the saltiness of the sauce.

Which white wine is best for garlic butter sauce?

You need to use a dry white wine for this recipe. I recommend using Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc to make this garlic sauce recipe.

How to make garlic butter pasta

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions for al dente pasta in a large pot.
  2. Drain pasta and place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.
  3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add white wine, lemon juice, minced garlic, white pepper, garlic salt, and chives. Stir and cook until heated through.
garlic butter pasta sauce in a pan.
  1. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the pasta and toss it to coat the pasta with the sauce.
  2. Garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
bowl of garlic butter pasta topped with chives and cheese.

Recipe variations

You can customize this pasta dish with some of these recipe variations.

  • If you like spicy dishes, try adding 1/2 teaspoon or more of red pepper flakes.
  • Adding a teaspoon or two of freshly chopped basil adds a very nice touch.
  • Add a handful of baby spinach, or a cup or two of steamed broccoli when you are tossing the pasta together.

Serving suggestions for garlic butter pasta – What is garlic butter sauce good on?

Sometimes I will eat this pasta by itself for a light meatless meal. Other times I’ll add more to it or serve it with sides to make it a heartier meal.

Here is a list of a few of my favorite things to serve with butter garlic pasta:

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

  • Sauce storage: The garlic butter sauce can be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated separately
  • Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 5-7 days
  • Freezing: Can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture may change slightly
  • Reheating: Warm in a microwave for 45-60 seconds, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to revive the sauce
  • Make-ahead elements: Measure and prep ingredients in advance, but this dish is best when freshly made
bowl of garlic butter pasta.
overhead view of garlic butter pasta in a serving bowl.

30-Minute Garlic Butter Pasta with White Wine Sauce

Make this simple yet decadent garlic butter pasta in under 30 minutes. Featuring a light, flavorful sauce with white wine, lemon, and fresh herbs.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Garlic Butter Pasta, Pasta Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 742kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pinch ground white pepper
  • 1 pinch garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 12 ounces angel hair pasta
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
  • Add all remaining ingredients except the cheese and pasta, and heat through.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.
  • Ladle the sauce over warm, fresh pasta.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

The key to perfect garlic butter pasta lies in balancing the garlic flavor. If you’re sensitive to garlic, start with half the amount and add more to taste. For the best texture, be sure to cook the pasta just until al dente—it will continue to soften slightly when tossed with the hot sauce. If you’re concerned about the alcohol content, know that most of it cooks off during the simmering process, leaving just the flavor behind. However, you can substitute with chicken or vegetable broth if preferred. For a more luxurious version, finish the dish with a tablespoon of cold butter swirled in just before serving—this creates a silky emulsion that coats each strand of pasta beautifully.

Nutrition

Calories: 742kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 487mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1470IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1.1mg

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About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Baltisraul

    5 stars
    I gave this 5 stars because my granddaughter loves it! That and asparagus of all things for an 8 yr old to ask for! haha I took a big bowl of this pasta to her on Sunday.

5 from 2 votes

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