Fresh Parsley Pasta with Butter & Garlic Recipe
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Jump to RecipeThis parsley pasta with butter and garlic is a bright & fresh dinner, ready in 20 minutes! Served in a warm garlicky sauce and loaded with fresh herbs. This is a great dinner recipe for parsley lovers, and has a fantastic flavor.
Elevate boring noodles with this simple and delicious side dish or quick lunch that everyone will love. Or you can serve these parsley noodles with garlic bread in the air fryer for a yummy and inexpensive dinner idea.
Want more simple, tasty pasta recipes? Try our vegetarian Cajun pasta, gnocchi with pomodoro sauce, or our favorite spaghetti stir fry noodles!
This parsley pasta may look plain but it’s absolutely loaded with flavor! Parsley is my absolute favorite herb, I love the bright and fresh flavor of these greens, and they pair so well with noodles. I always get a few bunch of fresh parsley from my produce delivery, and I turned one of these bunches into a light and flavorful dinner idea.
Parsley is traditionally served as a garnish here in the states, but I love using it front & center in my recipes to make it the star. If you are looking for recipes with parsley you have in the fridge, we always love our easy parsley tabbouleh salad, my favorite tropical parsley smoothie, and hearty warming parsley noodle soup.
Parsley and pasta go so well together in this delicious dinner dish, completed with a simple and quick garlic sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
- It’s simple, bright, and fresh!
- The sauce is garlicky and lemony, making it a great dish.
- The fresh herbs make this pasta pop!
- Ready in 20 minutes, it’s weeknight-friendly.
- It’s easy to make, cooks of any skill level can successfully make this dish.
Grow Fresh Parsley on Your Counter All Year Long
We got this great countertop Aerogarden which is fantastic for growing herbs in the winter. We actually got it when we lived in a smaller apartment, but even now that we own an acreage we still use it year-round!
I love growing herbs on my countertop like fresh basil, dill, mint, sage, thyme, parsley, and lemon balm – perfect for this cucumber salad. It uses LED lights and water, so no messy soil needed – you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips any time.
I love picking a few springs of parsley to chop on pastas, adding basil leaves to soups, and tossing some dill in with my pasta salads. It also makes a great gift for anyone who would like fresh herbs… no big kitchen or green thumb required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pasta / noodles of choice: I used linguine noodles, but any pasta shape you prefer will work. I like a longer pasta, because it’s fun to twirl!
- Parsley and Garlic – fresh is better than dried for both of these, especially the parsley.
- Butter or Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice: Use fresh lemons if you have it, or this really great bottled lemon that you can keep in your pantry if you don’t have fresh lemons
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
Additions and Variations
- If you don’t like garlic, you can omit it or use shallots instead.
- Add more herbs for a variety of flavors: add fresh basil or thyme.
- Toss a handful of greens in (like baby spinach) which will wilt during cooking.
- For a heartier pasta, toss in cooked protein and heat until warmed through.
- Finish with parmesan cheese if desired for an Italian flair.
How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
Step 2: In another pot, heat the butter over low heat.
Step 3: Add the garlic and sauté for 4 or 5 minutes until the garlic begins to brown, then squeeze in the lemon juice.
Step 4: Toss in the cooked noodles and twirl the pasta in the butter and garlic.
Step 5: Add salt and pepper, and toss in the fresh parsley.
Step 6: Toss well to combine all the ingredients, serve hot!
Recipe FAQs
I recommend fresh parsley if you can buy it, but yes you can substitute dried parsley in a pinch. Fresh parsley is a better choice as it adds more a vibrant flavor and bright green color. If using dried parsley, use about 1/3 cup.
For any leftover pasta, add it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat and toss leftovers in a pan with a little extra butter before enjoying again.
Yes you can, just make sure you use a certified gluten free pasta. And also ensure any other ingredients (like the butter) are also certified gluten free before enjoying.
Yes! Substitute the butter for a plant-based butter, or for olive oil and enjoy!
More Parsley Recipe Ideas
- Avocado Parsley Pesto
- Tropical Parsley Smoothie
- Parsley Noodle Soup
- White Wine Mushroom Sauce Pasta
- Linguine Pasta Salad
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If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Parsley Pasta with Butter & Garlic
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 8 ounces long noodles use gluten free if desired
- 2 tablespoons butter or use olive oil for a plant-based version
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 lemon freshly squeezed
- 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 bunch fresh parsley chopped (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
- In another pot, heat the butter over low heat.
- Add the garlic and sauté for 4 or 5 minutes until the garlic begins to brown, then squeeze in the lemon juice.
- Toss in the cooked noodles and twirl the pasta in the butter and garlic.
- Add salt and pepper, and toss in the fresh parsley. Toss well to combine all the ingredients, serve hot!
Notes
- If you don’t like garlic, you can omit it or use shallots instead.
- Add more herbs for a variety of flavors: add fresh basil or thyme.
- Toss a handful of greens in (like baby spinach) which will wilt during cooking.
- For a heartier pasta, toss in cooked protein and heat until warmed through.
- Finish with parmesan cheese if desired for an Italian flair.
Nutrition
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This is a tasty pasta
We love pasta in our house. This combination is simple yet VERY flavorful. It was gone in a heartbeat and enjoyed by everyone