World's Best Buttered Noodles
These buttered noodles are the easiest comfort food ever made with tender pasta, butter, and parmesan cheese. You only need 3 ingredients to make this butter parmesan pasta (also known as Burro e Parmigiano).
Servings: 5
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Salted Butter (8 Tablespoons, cut into cubes)
- 4 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) Cheese * (freshly grated, about 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 lb (16 oz) Pasta * (of choice)
- 1 cup Pasta Water (may only need 1/2 cup)
Optional:
- 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, salt it generously (it should taste like seawater), and cook your pasta until just al dente. This ensures the noodles retain some bite and don’t turn mushy when combined with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy water and set aside.
- Melt the butter: In a large skillet or pan, melt butter gently over medium-low heat. If adding garlic, sauté it until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Combine noodles and butter: Add the drained pasta directly to the pan with butter. Toss to coat.
- Add parmesan and pasta water: Sprinkle in the cheese gradually, a little at a tiem, tossing constantly. I suggest using freshly grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesan) cheese. Pour in small splashes of pasta water as needed until the cheese melts into a glossy, creamy sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Season and serve: Taste and add black pepper (and extra salt if needed). Serve immediately with a little extra parmesan on top.
Notes
- Butter – Use good-quality salted butter. European-style butter (with higher butterfat content) will make the dish richer and creamier. My favorite is Kerrygold grass-fed butter or any European butter.
- Pasta – Egg noodles are classic, but any pasta shape works. Choose your favorite!
- Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano) -- Always opt for freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano if you can. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
- Pasta Water -- The starchy water helps emulsify the butter and cheese into a smooth, clinging sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 517mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 745IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 297mg | Iron: 1mg
