Kids Buttered Pasta Recipe
Make Kids Buttered Pasta Recipe in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Buttery Sauce
Optional Add-ins (for variation)
Method
Cook the Pasta
Boil water
Place 6 cups of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
Salt the water
Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon salt to the water and stir briefly.
Add pasta and cook
Add 2 cups of the small pasta to the boiling salted water. Stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender but still slightly firm (al dente) — about 7 to 9 minutes depending on pasta shape. Refer to package for exact time and test a piece at 7 minutes.
Reserve pasta water and drain
Before draining, scoop out and reserve 2 tablespoons of the starchy pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta in a colander and return the drained pasta to the saucepan (off the heat).
Make the Butter Sauce & Combine
Melt butter
With the saucepan containing hot pasta off the heat, add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter to the pasta. Swirl the pan or stir gently until the butter melts and coats the pasta.
Add milk for creaminess
Add 2 tablespoons whole milk to the pasta and stir to combine. If the pasta looks dry, add up to the reserved 2 tablespoons pasta water a little at a time to reach a glossy, buttery consistency that coats the noodles.
Add optional mix-ins
If using optional add-ins, gently fold in 1 tablespoon thawed frozen peas or 1 tablespoon cooked diced chicken/ham now, so they warm through without breaking the pasta.
Garnish and serve
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley over the pasta if desired. Serve immediately while warm.