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Simply dressed Garlic Butter Pasta is filled with veggies and sprinkled with parmesan. It’s straightforward and so flavorful!

It’s a copycat recipe of a NYC favorite pasta dish, and this Garlic Butter Pasta has become a go-to dinner recipe. Not only is it simple, but it’s flavorful and delicious and will become a classic just like our Fettuccine and Spaghetti recipes!

Garlic Butter Pasta recipe on gray plate

A New York City Favorite

I try not to order pasta too often when I go out to eat because most are smothered in a heavy cream sauce, and I feel over-full when I’m done. However, I always cave when I’m at Serendipity in New York City.

Every time I go, I HAVE to get the Madame Butterfly. It’s the most delicious buttery pasta! I love it so much, I decided to make my own copycat recipe.

This Garlic Butter Pasta is filled with chunks of carrots, peppers, olives and topped with cheese and parsley. It seriously tastes just like the real thing!

I do hope that you can make it to NYC to try it at Serendipity!! Not only do they have this delicious pasta dish but they have the BEST Frozen Hot Cocoa (which I also made a copycat recipe for).

Bowtie pasta in colander

Simple sauce, big flavor

I know it sounds outrageously simple, but all this sauce requires is melted butter and freshly minced garlic! That’s it.

PASTA. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

VEGGIES. While pasta is cooking, add butter, garlic, bell peppers and baby carrots to pan. Sautee for 8-10 minutes on low-medium heat. Add olives and cook an additional 2 minutes.

COMBINE + SERVE! Drain pasta and add to veggie pan. Mix well until pasta is coated. Top with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese right before serving. ENJOY!

Don’t underestimate the big flavor this simple pasta dish contains! And even though it is buttery, it feels a lot lighter than a cream based pasta sauce. See for yourself!

Bell peppers and olives sauteed in butter

Tips, Sides + SToring Info

More flavor. If you feel like you still want a little more flavor, try salting the noodles while they’re boiling. To do this, add up to 1 tablespoon of salt per pound of pasta.

More filling. To make it even more filling, add some protein. Grilled chicken or shrimp would pair really nicely!

Noodles. You can use other pasta shapes such as penne, rotini, macaroni, or even spaghetti, linguine and angel hair pasta.

We love to serve it with some of these side dishes that pair nicely:

STORE leftover refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. REHEAT in the microwave or in a sauté pan on the stove.

Garlic Butter Pasta recipe on gray plate

some more favorite pasta dishes:

5 from 11 votes

Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Simply dressed Garlic Butter Pasta is filled with veggies and sprinkled with parmesan. It's straightforward and so flavorful!
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 16 oz bowtie pasta
  • 1/2-3/4 cup butter, unsalted
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 cup olives, diced
  • 1/2 cup baby carrots, cut into srips
  • 1/2-1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • fresh parsely, garnish
  • garlic salt (with parsley flakes) with parsley flakes – to taste

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta as directed on box.
  • While pasta is cooking, add butter, garlic, bell peppers and baby carrots to pan. Sautee for 8-10 minutes on low-medium heat. Add olives and cook an additional 2 minutes.
  • Drain pasta and add to veggie pan. Mix well until pasta is coated. Top with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese right before serving. ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 457mg, Potassium: 239mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 2400IU, Vitamin C: 21.2mg, Calcium: 130mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Amazing!! Inspired!! Delicious!! Scrumptious!! Yummalicious!! I love to cook and I love your page/site!! Thank you for taking the time to share all these phenomenal recipes!! 💜💜💜

  2. 5 stars
    mmm..this Garlic Butter Pasta is absolutely delicious!! A new family favorite!

  3. 5 stars
    So simple, but so delicious! I also love all the bright colors, it’s so pretty. I think I’ll also try serving it with chicken or smoked sausage to make it more hearty for my teenage boys. 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    What a light, but tasty pasta!! I love the bell peppers & carrots. They add a nice crunch & flavor!

  5. 5 stars
    I made this as a special lunch while visiting my dad. The best part was that everyone loved it! My kids even ate it! I love all the vegetables in it and I even added sauteed mushrooms to mine. I just chopped them up and cooked them with the other veggies after they started to soften up some, to be sure the mushrooms didn’t get over cooked. I’ve made it several times since and I’ve even made a gluten free version using GF pasta. It’s always a hit!