Pasta with brown butter, whole lemon and Parmesan recipe

Ingredients for Pasta with brown butter, whole lemon, and Parmesan

• 450 g short tube pasta (such as paccheri or rigatoni)

• kosher salt

• 225 g unsalted butter, cut into pieces, divided

• 1 small lemon or Meyer lemon, very thinly sliced into rounds, seeds removed

• 28 g parmesan, finely grated, plus more for serving

• freshly ground black pepper

How to make Pasta with brown butter, whole lemon, and Parmesan

1. Boil a large pot of generously salted water. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. The pasta will continue cooking in the sauce.

2. Meanwhile, heat half of the butter in a large casserole dish or heavy pot over medium heat until melted. Add the lemon slices and cook, stirring often, until softened and the bottom of the pot is browned in spots, about 5–7 minutes. Using tongs, transfer one-third of the lemon slices to a plate and set aside.

3. Just before the pasta is al dente, scoop out 500 ml of the pasta cooking liquid. Add 375 ml of this liquid to the butter sauce (this may seem like a lot, but it will thicken once the remaining ingredients are added).

4. Add the remaining butter a piece at a time, whisking until each piece is incorporated before adding more, until the sauce is emulsified and creamy.

5. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Cook, stirring often, and add 30 g of Parmesan a little at a time. Once all the cheese is added, continue to cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and clings to the pasta, about 3 minutes.

6. If the sauce looks very thick, add more pasta cooking liquid, 15–30 ml at a time, to thin it out (a saucier consistency is ideal as it will thicken as it cools).

7. Remove from heat and sprinkle generously with freshly cracked pepper (about 2 tsp.); toss once more to combine.

8. Serve the pasta topped with the reserved lemon rounds and additional Parmesan.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.