Brown Butter Brussels Pasta (Print Version)

Crispy Brussels sprouts, brown butter, pasta, and parmesan combine for a savory, comforting vegetarian dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
02 - Salt, for boiling pasta

→ Brussels Sprouts

03 - 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Brown Butter

05 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Flavorings

06 - 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
08 - 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped, optional
14 - Chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced Brussels sprouts and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp. Transfer sprouts to a bowl and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add unsalted butter and cook, stirring frequently, until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add sliced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the butter. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring gently until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
05 - Return sautéed Brussels sprouts to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss thoroughly to combine with the butter, garlic, and sprouts.
06 - Add grated parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until pasta is evenly coated with the sauce, adding more pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
07 - Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra parmesan, toasted nuts, and chopped parsley if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy enough for weeknight cooking yet dinner party elegant
  • Savory caramelized flavor with just a few fresh ingredients
  • Pantry—friendly pasta base and budget friendly vegetables
  • Ready in about half an hour from start to finish
  • Vegetarian crowd pleaser perfect for casual or special meals
02 -
  • Packed with fiber and vitamins thanks to Brussels sprouts
  • Rich brown butter brings deep complex flavor to simple vegetables
  • Lemon and parmesan provide fresh balance so every bite tastes light
  • Excellent as leftovers and perfect for meal prep
03 -
  • Slice the Brussels sprouts as thin as you can for the crispiest texture
  • Let the butter brown fully for real nutty flavor but watch closely since it can go from golden to burnt in seconds
  • Save more pasta water than you think you will need so your sauce always stays luscious
  • Do not be shy with the lemon zest as it brightens up all the flavors

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