Lazy Girl Three Ingredient Pasta (Print Version)

Simple pasta combining butter, Parmesan, and pasta water for a smooth, creamy finish.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)

→ Sauce

02 - 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ For Finishing

04 - Salt, to taste
05 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
02 - Reserve 2/3 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
03 - Return the hot pasta to the pot off heat; add butter and toss until melted and evenly coating the pasta.
04 - Stir in Parmesan cheese and 1/4 to 1/3 cup of reserved pasta water; toss vigorously until a creamy sauce forms, adding more water as necessary for desired consistency.
05 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; serve immediately, optionally topped with extra Parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely faster than calling for delivery and tastes infinitely better.
  • The creamy sauce feels luxurious, but you're not fooling anyone with heavy cream—just butter, cheese, and a little pasta water doing all the work.
  • There's something oddly satisfying about making something delicious with almost nothing in your pantry.
02 -
  • The pasta water's starch is everything; without it, you'll have separated, greasy butter instead of sauce—don't skip saving it or use water from the tap.
  • Timing matters here because the sauce only stays emulsified while everything's hot; once it cools, the butter and cheese separate, so have your bowls ready before you finish tossing.
03 -
  • Room temperature butter incorporates smoother than cold, so take it out of the fridge five minutes before you start cooking if you remember; if you don't, it still works, just requires more aggressive tossing.
  • The moment you see the sauce become glossy and coat the pasta is the moment to stop—overshooting and the emulsion can break, so watch for that silky sheen and plate immediately.
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