Description
Homemade brown butter mushroom pasta combines earthy mushrooms with nutty brown butter for a rich, comforting Italian-inspired dish. Creamy parmesan and fresh herbs elevate this simple yet elegant meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti
- 8 oz (226 g) cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 8 tbsps (113 g) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup (60 g) fresh French-style breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preparation: Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente, drain and set aside while maintaining its ideal texture.
- Breadcrumb Creation: Toast breadcrumbs in a skillet over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until achieving a golden, crispy consistency. Season with salt and pepper, then remove and reserve for garnishing.
- Brown Butter Transformation: Melt butter in the same skillet over low heat, carefully monitoring its color transition from pale yellow to a rich, nutty amber with characteristic foaming, creating a deeply aromatic base.
- Flavor Infusion: Introduce minced garlic to the brown butter, stirring constantly to release its intense aroma without burning, then add sliced mushrooms and fresh thyme to caramelize and develop complex, earthy undertones.
- Final Assembly: Toss perfectly cooked spaghetti with the luxurious brown butter mushroom mixture, ensuring each strand is generously coated. Garnish with crispy toasted breadcrumbs and optional fresh parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Butter Browning Technique: Watch closely as butter transforms from pale yellow to nutty amber; the precise color change determines the depth of flavor and prevents burning.
- Mushroom Caramelization Secret: Allow mushrooms to develop deep bronze edges by resisting constant stirring, which enables natural sugars to create rich, concentrated taste.
- Breadcrumb Crunch Tip: Toast breadcrumbs precisely between 3-5 minutes for maximum golden color and crispy texture without burning.
- Herb Enhancement Trick: Fresh thyme releases maximum aromatic oils when added with mushrooms, infusing the brown butter sauce with subtle, earthy undertones.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg