Patrick Oconnell
Pasta with butter and cheese is a simple, tasty, and versatile dish. It can be served as a side or a main, and it's a great one to make with kids. The basic recipe involves boiling pasta in salted water, then mixing in butter, cheese, salt, and pepper. You can use a variety of cheeses, including Parmesan, Pecorino, or cheddar, and you can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste. For a more complex flavor, you can add garlic, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Main or side dish |
| Ingredients | Pasta, butter, cheese, salt, pepper, pasta water |
| Optional Ingredients | Garlic, fresh herbs, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, parsley, basil, vegetables, meat |
| Nutrition Information | Calories: 365kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 887mg, Potassium: 168mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 763IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 173mg, Iron: 1mg |
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 8-10 minutes |
| Storage | Store leftover pasta in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze. |
| Reheating | Reheat in the microwave or skillet over low heat with a splash of water, butter, or cream. |
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What You'll Learn
Boil pasta in salted water
To cook pasta with butter and cheese, you'll first need to boil the pasta in salted water. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:
Choosing the Right Pot and Amount of Water
Select a pot that's large enough to accommodate the amount of pasta you're cooking. The water should cover the pasta by a few centimetres, ensuring it cooks evenly. As a rule of thumb, use 1 litre of water for every 100 grams of pasta.
Salting the Water
Add a generous amount of salt to the water. The salt will season the pasta as it cooks, enhancing its natural flavour. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 tablespoon of salt for every litre of water. You can always taste the water and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Boiling the Water
Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Allow the water to come to a rolling boil. You'll know it's boiling vigorously enough when the bubbles are rapid and the water is agitated.
Adding the Pasta
Once the water is boiling, carefully add the pasta to the pot. Use a spoon or spatula to gently lower the pasta into the water, avoiding any splashes. Stir the pasta gently with a wooden spoon or spatula to ensure it doesn't stick together or to the bottom of the pot.
Cooking the Pasta
Follow the package instructions for cooking times, but generally, pasta cooks in about 8-10 minutes. Stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking. Taste a piece of pasta to ensure it's cooked to your desired doneness. It should be tender but still slightly firm, or al dente.
Draining the Pasta
When the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain it in a colander or sieve. Shake the colander gently to remove excess water. Now your pasta is ready to be mixed with butter and cheese!
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Drain pasta, return to pot
Once the pasta is cooked, it's time to drain the water. Use a colander to drain the pasta and then return the pasta to the pot. If you're making garlic butter pasta, you can now melt butter on medium heat and sauté sliced garlic lightly. If you're making a simpler pasta with butter and cheese, you can add the butter directly to the pasta in the pot.
When draining the pasta, it's a good idea to reserve some of the pasta water. This starchy water can be added to the sauce to help emulsify it and give it a better consistency. You can add a little at a time until you get the desired consistency.
After draining and returning the pasta to the pot, you can mix in the butter, cheese, salt, and pepper until all the ingredients are evenly combined. If you're using fresh herbs or lemon juice, add them at this stage as well. The amount of butter you use will depend on your preference for the sauciness of the pasta.
If you're making a more complex dish, such as spaghetti with butter, egg, and cheese, you can add the eggs to the pan with the butter and then add the cooked pasta back in. Cook until the eggs are done to your liking. This dish can be seasoned with pepper and served with ketchup, as some prefer.
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Mix in butter, cheese, salt, and pepper
Now, it's time to mix in the butter, cheese, salt, and pepper. For this step, you can use a pot or a skillet. If you're using a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. You can add the butter directly to the pot if you cooked your pasta in a pot. Add 4 tablespoons of butter if you prefer less saucy pasta. Mix in grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add some pasta water to emulsify the sauce and prevent it from becoming clumpy. Keep tossing and mixing until all the ingredients are evenly combined and the sauce is smooth and lightly thickened.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil and a squeeze of lemon juice can add a nice touch. You can also experiment with spices or vegetables. If you're a garlic lover, like some of our sources, you can sauté sliced garlic before adding the pasta to the skillet.
Remember, this dish is very adaptable, so feel free to adjust the quantities of butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to suit your taste. You can even add an egg, as suggested by some sources. The beauty of this dish is that it's simple yet delicious, and you can make it your own.
Finally, serve your pasta with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side, so your guests can add more cheese if they wish. Enjoy your homemade pasta with butter and cheese!
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Add pasta water to emulsify sauce
Adding pasta water to emulsify your sauce is a crucial step in making delicious pasta with butter and cheese. Emulsifying a sauce simply means bringing two different liquids together to make a smooth sauce. In this case, the starchy pasta water and butter combine to create an emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to your pasta.
To begin the emulsification process, reserve a cup of the starchy pasta water after cooking your pasta. This water contains starch released from the pasta during cooking, which will act as a thickening agent and help emulsify your sauce. Return your drained pasta to the pot, then add butter and a ladle of pasta water. You can also add some grated cheese at this stage, if desired.
Toss the pasta vigorously over high heat to marry the flavours and let the starches develop and emulsify the sauce. The high heat will help the sauce thicken and coat the pasta evenly. If your sauce becomes too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding more of the reserved pasta water.
By adding pasta water to your sauce, you not only emulsify it but also enhance the overall flavour and texture of your dish. The starch in the water helps the sauce cling to the pasta, ensuring each bite is packed with flavour. This technique is a simple yet effective way to elevate your pasta with butter and cheese, creating a restaurant-worthy dish in the comfort of your own home.
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Serve with extra cheese
To serve with extra cheese, sprinkle in some extra grated Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta before serving. You can also add some extra cheese while cooking the pasta. Add the pasta water a little at a time after adding half of the Parmesan cheese, then add the rest of the cheese and some more water if needed.
For an extra cheesy kick, you can add some grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese to the pasta before serving. If you're feeling adventurous, try using a combination of different cheeses, such as Gruyere, Emmental, or Gouda. Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination.
If you're serving the pasta as a side dish, you can also sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the main course. For example, if you're serving the pasta with chicken or steak, add some extra Parmesan or cheddar cheese on top of the meat.
Remember, when it comes to cheese, there's no need to hold back! Add as much or as little as you like to suit your taste preferences. The beauty of this dish is its versatility, so feel free to get creative and make it your own.
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Frequently asked questions
Boil water with salt in a medium-sized pot. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Mix in butter, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. For a more detailed recipe, you can find various options online.
Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese is recommended for this simple pasta dish. You can also use Parmesan cheese and lots of pepper, or even add ketchup for a unique twist.
The recommended portion of pasta per person is 2-3oz (60-85 grams).
