The Kitchn: Brown butter instantly makes pasta night feel fancy
There is something eternally satisfying and soothing about buttered pasta. Toss warm strands of spaghetti with a pat of rich butter and a sprinkle of grated Parm, and you've got an ultra-comforting meal that comes together in minutes. Use that as inspiration, then up the ante with nutty brown butter, golden toasted panko, and a double dose of cheese, and you've got a comforting dish that's fancy enough for when friends pop over.
Adding brown butter to any recipe, from vegetables to vinaigrette to cookies, lets your guests know they're in for a real treat. Here it's cooked down over low heat on the stovetop until the milk solids caramelize into a nutty sweetness to turn a basic pot of weeknight spaghetti into a meal that tastes totally luxurious. And if that isn't enough to win you over, it comes together with a short list of pantry staples in about 20 minutes.
Brown Butter Parmesan Pasta
Serves 4 to 6
1 pound dry spaghetti
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
...continued
