Butter Garlic Cilantro Pasta
A quick and flavorful pasta made with butter, garlic, fresh cilantro, and warm spices. This simple recipe creates a silky, aromatic sauce using pasta water and finishes cooking the pasta directly in the pan for maximum flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pasta (80% cooked, al dente)
- 3 tbsp reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic ,finely minced
- 1 small green chilli ,finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red chilli flakes
- A pinch nutmeg powder
- A tiny pinch cinnamon powder
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp corn starch
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until about 80% done (al dente). Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Heat butter in a pan over medium heat until melted.
- Add minced garlic and green chilli. Sauté until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Stir in black pepper and cook for a few seconds.
- Add corn starch and mix continuously so it blends smoothly with the butter.
- Pour in pasta water and milk, stirring constantly until a light, silky sauce forms.
- Add red chilli flakes, nutmeg, and cinnamon powder. Stir and cook briefly to release their aroma.
- Add the partially cooked pasta and toss well so it coats in the sauce.
- Mix in fresh cilantro and cook for 1–2 minutes until the pasta finishes cooking and the sauce clings to it.
- Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot. Garnish with extra cilantro or chilli flakes if desired.
Notes
- Cooking pasta 80% first allows it to finish cooking in the sauce and absorb flavor.
- Pasta water helps emulsify the butter, creating a smooth sauce.
- Add cinnamon very lightly so it enhances the dish without overpowering it.