Homemade Pappardelle with Brown Butter
A rustic Italian pasta dish featuring wide pappardelle noodles tossed in a nutty brown butter sauce, inspired by authentic regional recipes. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 35 minutes pairs pappardelle pasta, unsalted butter, minced shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pappardelle pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2, minced shallots
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pappardelle and cook for 2-3 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter and thyme, then cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Toss pasta into the skillet, add 1/2 cup pasta water, and stir until the sauce thickens. Fold in Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Homemade Pappardelle with Brown Butter take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Homemade Pappardelle with Brown Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pappardelle pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Homemade Pappardelle with Brown Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Homemade Pappardelle with Brown Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Homemade Pappardelle with Brown Butter?
Italian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
