An Easy and Budget-Friendly Pasta Dish for When You Need Garlic Comfort Food and to Stretch the Budget!
A Bowl of Garlic Pasta Comfort That Won’t Break the Bank!
I love a trip to our little local Italian family-owned restaurant as much as the next gal. The twinkle lights, the bread baskets, the endless chatter – it all feels cozy.
What doesn’t feel quite as cozy is when the check arrives at the end of the night! Sometimes dining out just isn’t in the cards.
That’s when recipes like this garlic butter pasta come into play. When payday feels like a lifetime away, or when you’re scraping the pantry for something cheap and filling, this dish saves the day.
It’s fast, it’s comforting, and it’s one of those meals that can double up as a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner.
There’s one ingredient I absolutely won’t skip; garlic bread seasoning. Oh my stars, if you’ve never tried it you have been missing out. It nails that restaurant-level garlic bread flavor that can feel flat in homemade dishes. I’ll share our family’s favorite below in the ingredients section.
Trust me, this seasoning turns a simple bowl of noodles into something your family will rave about!
And if you really want to take this recipe over the top, try it with fresh homemade egg noodles. They’re easier than you think, and I’ve already shared how to make them here: Homemade Pasta Recipe with KitchenAid Attachments
As always, these are real iPhone snaps from my real kitchen in military housing. No glossy, over-staged food shots here. Just proof that you don’t need a magazine-perfect setup to make food that tastes amazing and fills bellies!
So grab your butter and pasta and join me in making the simplest garlic butter pasta that hits the budget-friendly comfort food jackpot.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Wooden spoon or pasta ladle
- Measuring spoons
- Small mixing bowl
- Serving bowls
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Ingredients
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp), softened to room temperature (salted if preferred)
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp Johnny’s Garlic Spread Seasoning (or your favorite garlic seasoning mix)
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- Optional: ½ tsp dried red pepper flakes for a touch of heat
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Yield
Makes About 8 Tbsp Garlic Butter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Cook the pasta
Boil whatever pasta you’re using in salted water according to package instructions.
Step 2 – Make the garlic butter
While the pasta cooks, mix the softened butter, garlic spread seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add red pepper flakes if you’d like a little spice. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 3 – Combine
Drain your pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the garlic butter mixture, one tablespoon at a time, until the pasta is coated to your liking.
Step 4 – Serve
Dish up immediately. Pair with a side salad, roasted veggies, or just enjoy it on its own.
Notes & Troubleshooting
Notes:
- This is a pantry meal so don’t stress if you don’t have fancy extras on hand.
- Fresh pasta will make this dish shine even brighter.
Troubleshooting:
- Too salty? Use unsalted butter next time.
- Too plain? Add extra garlic spread seasoning or top with grated Parmesan.
- Too spicy? Skip the red pepper flakes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store garlic butter in a covered container up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the garlic butter in an ice cube tray or wrapped as a log for up to 2 months.
Serving Ideas
- Toss with fresh egg noodles for extra richness.
- Add shredded chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley for a simple garnish.
- Serve with garlic bread on the side if you’re going all-in on garlic.
Cheap and Quick Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- large pot
- colander
- Wooden spoon or pasta ladle
- Measuring spoons
- Small mixing bowl
- Serving bowls
Ingredients
- 1 stick softened to room temperature 8 tbsp, use salted if you prefer
- ½ tsp ground black pepper or to taste
- 2 tbsp Johnny’s Garlic Spread Seasoning or your favorite garlic bread seasoning mix with parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp dried red pepper flakes Optional for a touch of heat
Instructions
- Cook the pastaBoil whatever pasta you’re using in salted water according to package instructions.
- Make the garlic butterWhile the pasta cooks, mix the softened butter, garlic spread seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add red pepper flakes if you’d like a little spice. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- CombineDrain your pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the garlic butter mixture, one tablespoon at a time, until the pasta is coated to your liking.
- ServeDish up immediately. Pair with a side salad, roasted veggies, or just enjoy it on its own.
Notes
Storage
- Fridge: Store garlic butter in a covered container up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the garlic butter in an ice cube tray or wrapped as a log for up to 2 months.
The Takeaway
Not all meals have to be fancy. Sometimes you just need something quick, cheap, and good. This garlic butter pasta is a true comfort food for those nights when the budget is tight but everyone still deserves a meal that feels like a treat.
What to Try Next?
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Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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