Brown Butter Parmesan Pasta (Print Version)

Pasta coated in nutty brown butter and Parmesan, finished with black pepper for an elegant comfort meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz spaghetti or fettuccine

→ Brown Butter

02 - 7 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Cheese & Seasoning

03 - ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
04 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - ½ tsp fine sea salt
06 - Salt, to taste, for pasta water

→ Garnish

07 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, following package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain using a colander.
02 - In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Swirl occasionally and cook until the butter turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma, about 3 to 4 minutes. Monitor closely to avoid burning.
03 - Remove the skillet from heat. Add the drained pasta to the brown butter and toss thoroughly with a wooden spoon or tongs to ensure even coating.
04 - Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt to the pasta. Toss until the ingredients are fully incorporated, gradually adding some reserved pasta water until a silky sauce coats the noodles.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese as desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients to create impressive flavor
  • Quick enough for weeknights and elegant enough for guests
  • Comforting and rich while still feeling light on the palate
  • Minimal cleanup so you have more time to relax
02 -
  • Rich in satisfying flavor while being vegetarian friendly
  • Ready in just over twenty minutes from pantry to plate
  • Great foundation for add-ins like sautéed mushrooms or toasted nuts
03 -
  • Always brown your butter slowly and never rush this step It is what creates the signature taste
  • Grate your cheese just before adding for the smoothest sauce possible
  • Reserving pasta water is crucial for loosening and binding the sauce so do not forget to set some aside

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