Description
Za’atar-spiced pasta delivers Mediterranean magic with nutty brown butter elegance. Creamy, herbaceous strands promise a quick culinary escape that delights your senses and transports palates to sun-drenched regions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried long pasta (spaghetti or bucatini)
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 packed cup fresh herb leaves (parsley, oregano, mint, thyme, or a combination)
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 1 ounce (28 grams) Parmesan cheese, divided (½ cup firmly packed freshly grated or ⅓ cup store-bought grated)
- 1 tablespoon za’atar, plus extra for serving
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for the pasta
Citrus and Aromatics:
- ½ medium lemon
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, generously salt it, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta approximately 1 minute shy of the package’s al dente instructions, ensuring a slightly firm texture. Carefully extract of starchy pasta water before draining the pasta in a colander.
- Place a skillet over medium heat and melt butter, allowing it to transform into a rich, golden-brown liquid. Sprinkle za’atar into the butter, stirring continuously until the mixture develops a deep nutty aroma and caramel-like color, which typically takes 2-3 minutes. Immediately remove the skillet from heat and introduce fresh lemon juice and kosher salt, creating a fragrant sauce base.
- Pour the reserved pasta water into the skillet, creating a dynamic sauce. Simmer the liquid, allowing it to reduce by approximately 50%, which concentrates the flavors and creates a silky consistency. This process should take around 3 minutes.
- Gently introduce the drained pasta into the skillet, tossing and coating each strand thoroughly. Continue cooking for an additional minute to ensure the pasta reaches perfect al dente texture and absorbs the flavorful sauce.
- Fold freshly chopped herbs into the pasta, then incorporate half of the grated Parmesan cheese, ensuring even distribution. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with remaining Parmesan and an extra sprinkle of za’atar for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Butter transforms into a magical golden elixir, releasing nutty aromas that dance with za’atar’s exotic spices.
- Lemon juice adds bright, tangy notes that cut through the richness, creating a balanced and vibrant sauce.
- Reserved pasta water becomes the secret weapon, helping sauce cling perfectly to each pasta strand.
- Fresh herbs bring a burst of green freshness, lifting the entire dish with their aromatic charm.
- Parmesan cheese melts and binds everything together, adding a salty, umami depth that makes each bite irresistible.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg