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Brown Butter Pasta

A delightful and easy dish that combines the nutty richness of browned butter with tender pasta, making it a satisfying comfort food.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 1 pound spaghetti (or your favorite pasta variety) Silky strands create the perfect vehicle for the sauce.
  • 7 tablespoons good quality butter (cut into chunks) Use a rich, flavorful butter that will turn into a nutty concoction.
  • 6-8 large basil leaves (or fresh sage leaves) Provides fresh, vibrant flavor.
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese (plus more for topping) Creamy cheese melts beautifully into the pasta.

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, reserving about 1 cup of cooking water before straining.
Make the Brown Butter
  1. In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown with small flecks (approximately 5–7 minutes).
Add the Herbs
  1. Drop in the basil or sage leaves and let them sizzle in the butter for about 30 seconds to release their essential oils.
Combine with Pasta Water
  1. Lower the heat and carefully add about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine, creating a fragrant sauce.
Toss the Pasta
  1. Add the drained pasta to the pan with the brown butter sauce. Toss to coat and incorporate the Parmigiano cheese, adding more pasta water as needed.
Serve
  1. Plate immediately while hot, finishing with extra Parmigiano and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Notes

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Reserve pasta water for the right sauce consistency. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can elevate the dish further.