Pasta for One Recipe
User Reviews
4.5
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
10 mins
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Servings
1
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Calories
325 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Pasta for One Recipe
Description
This recipe cooks a small amount of dried pasta in a saucepan with minimal salted water to concentrate starches. The pasta cooks until flexible but not fully al dente, preserving some bite. It is then moved to a sauté pan over medium heat with butter and pasta water, which is poured to surround the noodles halfway. The pasta continues cooking with occasional tossing until it reaches the desired doneness, absorbing the butter and starchy liquid for a silky, slightly creamy texture.
Once the pasta is off heat, it is tossed with grated Parmesan cheese, which absorbs remaining liquid and adds salty, savory flavors. A final touch of black pepper seasons the dish. The technique produces rich pasta with a velvety sauce effect from the starch and butter, served warm as a light, satisfying meal for one.
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheated gently with added moisture to preserve texture.
Ingredients
- salt
- dried pasta
- butter
- Parmesan Cheese or other aged hard cheese, grated
- black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a saucepan with a few inches of water and a generous pinch of salt to a boil. Use just enough water to cover the noodles, ensuring a high starch concentration in the pasta water. Utilize this cooking water to finish the pasta, as the starch adds creaminess to the dish.
- Once the water is boiling, grab a handful of long noodles about the diameter of a quarter (about 1 inch) and add them to the pot. Cook the pasta until it is flexible, but not all the way to al dente.
- Place a 10-inch sauté pan on the stove next to the pot of pasta and set the burner to medium. Add two pats of butter (2 tablespoons) and use a pasta fork to transfer the pasta to the sauté pan.
- Pour enough of the pasta cooking water into the sauté pan to come about halfway up the noodles (about 1/4 cup). Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the pasta, tossing occasionally, until al dente (or to your liking).
- Turn off the heat and toss with enough grated cheese to absorb the remaining liquid in the pan and form a creamy sauce.
- Grind plenty of black pepper onto the top of the pasta. Use a pepper grinder to thoroughly coat the pasta with freshly ground black peppercorns. When you think you've added enough, give it a stir, and then add even more.
- Taste and add more salt if needed. Transfer to a plate, garnish with more cheese, and enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing is not recommended as it may change the texture of the pasta and sauce.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce, or microwave covered, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 325kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 765mg | 32% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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