5-Minute Garlic Butter Sauce
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This garlic butter sauce for pasta and seafood is my go-to when I need something fast, flavorful, and a little indulgent. It’s rich, garlicky, and pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta — plus, you can make it in 5 minutes using pantry staples.
Whether you’re tossing it with linguine, spooning it over shrimp, or dipping bread, this sauce does it all!
You’ll be putting this Garlic Butter Sauce on seafood, pasta, steak, and more.
Looking for more easy to make sauces and condiments? Try this Cilantro Lime Crema or this Basil Mint Pesto.
Why this Garlic Butter Sauce is Perfect for Pasta
Butter lovers, unite! This liquid gold garlic butter is better than literally anything you’ve ever had before. The best part? It’s SUPER fast to make…and I promise, it will disappear even faster!
In the world of sauce, this recipe is the real deal; calling for nothing but the best and freshest ingredients like freshly chopped parsley, freshly minced garlic, and more.
This sauce pairs well with long pasta like spaghetti and fettuccine, and like a cream sauce it clings well to the noodles without breaking. You can even customize it with seasonings like chili flakes or make it even richer with some cream or Parmesan cheese!
Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
Dairy: I used unsalted butter, but you can use ghee or salted butter if you prefer.
- Pro tip: I recommend unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the sauce. If you have salted butter, that’s fine too, you just might want to use less salt later.
Herbs & spices: I recommend using fresh herbs and spices to bring out the best flavor possible.
- Garlic
- Freshly chopped parsley
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Salt
Optional Add Ins
- Red pepper flakes for some heat
- Fresh basil or thyme
- Lemon juice
- Grated Parmesan
You can swap out the herbs for different flavors. I love making a basil butter sauce with fresh chopped basil. If you want to make a lemon butter sauce, just add fresh squeezed lemon juice right before serving.
Wine: For this recipe I recommend using a dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Gris.
*for a detailed list of ingredients and measurements, scroll down to find the recipe card.
How to Make Garlic Butter Sauce for Pasta
When I said it was super easy to whip up, I meant it! This recipe is everything your dinners have been missing and more.
- Melt unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Stir in the white wine and parsley and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss with hot pasta–use a splash of reserved pasta water for a glossy finish!
How to use garlic butter sauce
Aside from pasta, this buttery sauce with seafood may be my favorite combination on the planet. I mean, honestly, is there anything better than seafood and butter?
For starters, try drizzling it over Seared Scallops and air fryer filet mignon. Or use it to make garlic butter shrimp!
My favorite way to use it is on lobster and shrimp. My personal favorite: using it as a light drizzle over lobster risotto.
The combinations are truly endless (below are more of my favorites); you won’t be sorry you tried them all!
Pro tip: try it with veggies like Sauteed Green Beans or my Air Fryer Asparagus!
Storing Butter Sauce
I like to make a big batch of Garlic Butter Sauce to keep on hand any time I need it. I fill a silicone mold and just pop out what I need.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
FAQs
You can put it on just about everything, but if you are looking for some inspiration, below you will find some of my favorites:
– Buttering bread
– Seafood
– Pasta
– Frying or sautéing vegetables
If your sauce becomes too thin you can add cornstarch in to thicken it up. A little bit can go a long way, so I recommend starting with 1 teaspoon and adding from there.
Other Favorite Recipes to Try
Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1.5 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then stir in the minced garlic, white wine, parsley, salt, and pepper.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 cloves of garlic,, 1/2 cup white wine, 1.5 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- Serve warm over your favorite meat or seafood, or divide into a silicone mold and store in the freezer.
