Best-Ever Pasta With Butter and Parmesan Cheese

Prep:10minCook:20min

Simple can be amazing. Pasta with just butter and cheese might seem simple, but it actually has a fancy name when served in restaurants--fettuccine alfredo. To make this dish at home, use authentic Parmesan cheese from Italy (look for the Italian words "Parmigiano-Reggiano" on the rind of the cheese.) Use a rasp grater or the small holes on a box grater to create very small, almost feathery shreds of cheese that will melt into a creamy sauce. When the cheese, butter pieces, and reserved pasta cooking water are stirred into the just-drained fettuccine, the dish will appear very watery. But, don't fret: After a covered 1-minute rest and a vigorous stir, everything will come together in a creamy sauce.

Updated at: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:52:40 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories291.7 kcal (15%)

Total Fat12.2 g (17%)

Carbs30.7 g (12%)

Sugars0 g (0%)

Protein14 g (28%)

Sodium1993.8 mg (100%)

Fiber1.7 g (6%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

2 servings

2 quartswater

4 ouncesfettuccine

or other long-strand pasta

1 ½ teaspoonsalt

½ cupparmesan cheese

grated, plus extra for serving

1 tablespoonunsalted butter

pepper

optional

Equipment

1 tablespoonmeasuring spoon

2bowls

Instructions

Step 1

In large saucepan, bring water to a boil.

Step 2

Carefully add pasta and salt to boiling water. Use tongs to bend pasta into water (ask an adult for help.) Cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is al dente (tender but still a bit chewy,) 10-12 minutes.

Step 3

Turn off heat. Use ladle to carefully transfer 1/4 cup cooking water to liquid measuring cup. Set colander in sink. Carefully drain pasta in colander (ask an adult for help.) Return drained pasta to now-empty saucepan.

Step 4

Add cheese, butter, and 2 tablespoons reserved cooking water to saucepan with pasta. Return saucepan to low heat.

Step 5

Use tongs to toss and stir constantly to combine, about 30 seconds. Turn off heat, cover saucepan, and let pasta sit for 1 minute.

Step 6

Toss and stir pasta constantly again until sauce thoroughly coats pasta and cheese is melted, about 30 seconds. (If sauce is too thick, thin as needed with remaining cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time.)

Step 7

Transfer pasta to bowl. Sprinkle with extra cheese and pepper (if using.) Serve.