Simple 7-Ingredient Recipe

Pantry “Golden Garlic Butter Pasta” (7-Ingredient Comfort Bowl)

A rich, glossy pasta with garlicky butter and a pop of chili—made entirely from common pantry staples.

Ingredients (7)

1. Pasta (spaghetti or any shape) – 8 oz
2. Butter – 3 tbsp
3. Olive oil – 1 tbsp
4. Garlic powder – 1 tsp
5. Red pepper flakes – ½ tsp (optional, but great)
6. Salt – to taste
7. Black pepper – to taste

Estimated Time

• Prep: 5 minutes
• Cook: 10–12 minutes
• Total: ~15–17 minutes

Instructions

1. Boil the pasta:
   Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
2. Make the sauce:
   In the same pot (or a skillet), melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat.
3. Season it:
   Stir in garlic powder and red pepper flakes for 20–30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).
4. Gloss it up:
   Add drained pasta back in. Toss with the butter-oil mixture.
   Splash in a little reserved pasta water (start with 2–3 tbsp) and toss until the sauce turns silky and lightly coats the noodles.
5. Finish:
   Season with salt and black pepper. Serve hot.

Optional serving tip (no extra ingredients required)

Twist into a bowl and top with extra black pepper and a tiny drizzle of olive oil for a restaurant-style finish.