Simple Pasta with Butter and Parmesan (or Safe Alternative)
Tender pasta tossed with melted butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan, with steamed broccoli on the side or mixed right in. Mild, comforting, and endlessly adaptable to what your household can have. This is the kind of dish that meets everyone where they are, no drama, just warm bowls and happy faces.
By TasteBuds
Recipe details
- Yield
- 4 people
- Prep time
- 10 minutes
- Cook time
- 15 minutes
- Total time
- 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shells work beautifully)
- for pasta water Salt
- 3 cups Broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces (fresh or frozen)
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter OR dairy-free spread (use whichever your household can have)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese OR nutritional yeast, grated if using Parmesan (use whichever your household can have)
- to taste Black pepper, freshly ground (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add 1 lb (450 g) pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil (or set up a steamer basket over the pasta pot if you have room). Add 3 cups (300 g) broccoli florets and steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender-crisp and bright green. Drain and set aside.
- When the pasta is done, reserve ½ cup (120 ml) pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Return the drained pasta to the pot (off the heat). Add 4 tbsp (60 g) butter or dairy-free spread and toss until melted and the pasta is glossy. If it looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen.
- Add ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast and toss again until everything is evenly coated. Taste and add black pepper if you like.
- Fold in the steamed broccoli or serve it on the side, whichever your household prefers. Transfer to bowls and serve warm.