Andy Montoya
Spaghetti with Mizithra cheese and browned butter is a signature dish of the Old Spaghetti Factory. It is a simple yet delicious recipe that can be made with just a few ingredients. The pasta is cooked in browned butter and tossed with Mizithra cheese, a salty Greek dry cheese. The recipe was published in the Rocky Mountain News in Denver back in the '80s and has since become a popular dish. It is a copycat recipe that can be made at home and is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Main course |
| Cuisine | Italian-American, Greek |
| Main ingredients | Spaghetti, mizithra cheese, butter |
| Other ingredients | Salt, garlic, parsley, oregano, pepper |
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Taste | Rich, buttery, nutty, salty |
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Variations | Use of angel hair, linguine, fettuccini, or penne pasta; Romano, Parmesan, Asiago, or Feta cheese |
| Serving suggestion | Side salad, lamb dish |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy mizithra cheese
Mizithra cheese can be tricky to find in grocery stores. It can be found in the deli section of the grocery store in their “fancy” cheese display. Most stores sell it by the pound and offer different-sized blocks. Mizithra cheese can also be purchased online from Amazon.com, Parthenon Foods, and Kroger. It can also be found at Whole Foods in LA.
If you are unable to find mizithra cheese, you can substitute it with parmesan, asiago, or pecorino romano.
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How to make brown butter
To make brown butter, start by melting butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Use a light-coloured pan so you can easily see the colour of the butter. It's important to only use butter—margarine won't work for this recipe. As the butter melts, it will begin to foam. Keep cooking the butter until it turns a medium golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma. This should take around 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn the butter—it can go from browned to burnt very quickly.
Once the butter is browned, remove the pan from the heat. If you're adding garlic, add it now along with some salt, and stir to combine. The garlic will cook as the pan cools. You can then add the browned butter to cooked spaghetti, tossing to coat the strands, before adding mizithra cheese and mixing well.
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Preparing the pasta
To prepare the pasta for this simple yet delicious dish, start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. You can use any type of pasta you prefer, but spaghetti noodles are traditionally used in this recipe. You will need 16 ounces of pasta, which is equivalent to one pound or 450 grams. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the other ingredients. Start by finely chopping two large garlic cloves. You can also cut 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter into six pieces. However, if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can add more garlic or even double the amount, as some people do.
After the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander but do not rinse it. It is important to note that this dish does not keep well, so it is best to cook only the amount of pasta you plan to eat immediately. You can store cooked and cooled pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days if needed.
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Combining the ingredients
To cook spaghetti with mizithra cheese, you will need spaghetti, butter, mizithra cheese, and optionally, garlic and parsley.
Start by bringing a pot of water with a few pinches of salt to a boil over medium-high heat. You can use any type of spaghetti or noodle for this dish, including angel hair, linguine, or fettuccini. The water should taste like saltwater.
While the water is coming to a boil, you can begin browning the butter. Place a saucepan or skillet over medium heat and add the butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, but do not substitute it with margarine. Stir constantly and cook the butter until it reaches a nice, light to medium brown colour. Watch carefully as the butter can burn easily. As the butter begins to melt, it will start to foam. As it continues to cook, you will notice a nutty aroma.
Once the butter is browned, remove the pan from the heat. If you are using garlic, add it now along with some salt and stir to combine. The garlic will cook as the pan cools.
By now, the water should be boiling. Add the spaghetti to the pot and cook until al dente.
When the pasta is cooked, drain it and place it into the pan with the browned butter. Toss the pasta in the butter until it is well coated and glistening.
Finally, add the mizithra cheese. You can grate or crumble the cheese and mix well, so that the cheese sticks to the spaghetti evenly. You can also add some freshly chopped parsley for colour and a subtle herb flavour.
Serve the spaghetti immediately. This dish does not keep well, so only cook as much as you are ready to eat.
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Serving suggestions
Spaghetti with Mizithra cheese and browned butter is best served immediately. It is a simple dish, with the salty Greek Mizithra cheese and browned butter coating the spaghetti noodles.
You can serve the dish with a pinch of freshly chopped parsley on top for colour and a subtle herb flavour. You could also add freshly ground pepper.
If you want to add some extra vegetables to the dish, you could serve it with a salad on the side.
For a more filling meal, you could serve the spaghetti as a side dish with a lamb main course.
If you want to recreate the "manager's special" from the Old Spaghetti Factory, add a small amount of marinara to the plate.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need mizithra cheese, spaghetti, butter, and parsley. You can also add garlic and Romano cheese.
First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Then, brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is browned, add the pasta, butter, and cheese to a bowl and toss until the pasta is well coated. Serve immediately with a pinch of parsley on top.
Mizithra cheese can be tricky to find and is usually more expensive. You can try looking in the deli section of your grocery store or at a specialty Greek market. You can also substitute mizithra cheese with parmesan, asiago, or pecorino romano.
Spaghetti with mizithra cheese is typically served as a main course. It can be served with a side salad or garlic bread. It is an easy and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
