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Easy One-Pot 4-Ingredient Butter Pasta

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A quick and comforting one-pot pasta recipe using just four simple ingredients—pasta, butter, salt, and pepper—ready in 15 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) dry pasta (spaghetti or linguine recommended)
  • 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Gather your ingredients and equipment. Measure out 8 oz (225 g) of dry pasta and 4 tablespoons (60 g) of unsalted butter. Have 4 cups (950 ml) of water ready, along with salt and pepper.
  2. Add pasta and water to the skillet. Place the dry pasta in the skillet and pour in the water just enough to cover the pasta (about 4 cups / 950 ml). Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
  3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir gently to separate the pasta strands and avoid sticking. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer.
  4. Add the butter pieces. Toss in the 4 tablespoons of butter right into the simmering water and pasta. It will start melting and blending with the starchy water, creating your sauce.
  5. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes. Keep everything moving gently so the pasta cooks evenly and the butter emulsifies into a creamy coating. Check pasta texture around 10 minutes; it should be al dente.
  6. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste and stir well. Adjust salt if needed.
  7. Remove from heat and let it rest for a minute to help the sauce thicken slightly. Optionally toss in fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
  8. Serve immediately, scooping up some of the buttery sauce with the pasta.

Notes

If pasta dries out before fully cooked, add a splash of hot water and stir. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and to emulsify the butter sauce. Use unsalted butter for better salt control. Real butter is recommended for best flavor. Adjust salt carefully since salted water seasons the pasta. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: butter pasta, one-pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, 4-ingredient pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/easy-one-pot-4-ingredient-butter-pasta-recipe-ready-in-15-minutes/