Browned Butter Lemon Pasta – a 15 Minute Meal

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 – 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 Tbsp Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 8 oz spaghetti noodles, uncooked
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 oz freshly, finely grated Romano cheese, 1/2 cup
• 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted if desired

Directions

1. Prepare the pasta following the instructions on the package. While it cooks, make the browned butter in a small saucepan, then take it off the heat and reserve it.
2. Warm the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest, stirring and cooking until the mixture just begins to turn pale gold.
3. Add the bread crumbs to the skillet and cook, stirring the whole time, until they are golden; they brown fast, so stay with them. Take the skillet off the heat.
4. Transfer the garlic mixture into the browned butter, add the lemon juice, and whisk until combined.
5. When the pasta is done, drain it thoroughly and put it back in the pot. Add the browned butter mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste, using a generous hand with the pepper if you like, then add the Romano cheese, basil, and almonds. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
6. Serve warm. The lemon will soften and settle into the pasta after it sits for just a few minutes.