Browned Butter Mizithra Pasta

BROWNED BUTTER MIZITHRA PASTAšŸ˜

Rainy days were meant for pasta nights, and this one is only 5 ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare! Inspired by an all time favorite at Old Spaghetti Factory, which if youā€™ve ever been, you know their managerā€™s special with mizithra pasta SLAPS. It was even the cause of my biggest fight with my sister growing up - I mean who eats someone elseā€™s leftovers? SO rude. Anyways, as soon as I saw Mizithra cheese at Vons, I KNEW I had to make this. Safe to say my relationship with my sister is better for it too ;) 


For a true banger, serve half of this mizithra pasta with half a serving of my Bolognese recipe for a homemade twist on the managerā€™s special. The combo of the two spaghettis is truly something specialšŸ˜ Youā€™re gonna love this!

Mizithra is a traditional Greek whey cheese. It is found in most grocery stores in the US as a salt-dried grating cheese and has quite a unique flavor so I donā€™t recommend swapping it out for any other cheese.


Serves 2.

Ingredients:

For the Browned Butter Mizithra Pasta:

  • 8oz spaghetti

  • 1 stick salted butter

  • 2 cloves minced garlic

  • Ā¼ cup mizithra cheese

  • Ā¼ cup freshly grated romano or parmesan

  • Fresh cracked pepper to taste

  • Salt to taste

  • Fresh parsley or basil for serving (optional)


Directions:

For the Browned Butter Mizithra Pasta:

  • Get a pot of salted water to boil and season with salt. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions.

  • Add the butter to a skillet and cook on medium heat. Once it starts foaming, add in the garlic, pepper, and stir. The process for browning the butter will take anywhere from 7-9 minutes. The butter will first foam, then start smelling nutty and start to brown. Shut off the heat once itā€™s golden brown.

  • Once pasta is cooked, reserve about Ā½ cup pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and add to the skillet with the browned butter off heat. Add in the mizithra and parmesan and toss well, adding a bit of pasta water at a time to get a nice homogenous sauce.

  • Serve and top with fresh herbs. Enjoy!