Cheating Pasta “Pasta dei Cornuti”: Easy Italian Butter and Parmesan Pasta Recipe
A simple and authentic Italian pasta dish known as Pasta dei Cornuti, featuring fettuccine coated in a luscious butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese sauce, perfectly seasoned with toasted black pepper. This recipe is quick, requiring just 15 minutes, and uses minimal ingredients to create a rich and creamy pasta experience.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 10½ oz (300g) fettuccine
- Salt, for the pasta water
Sauce
- 10 tablespoons (140g) butter
- 1 cup (90g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until just shy of al dente. Before draining, reserve at least one cup of the starchy cooking water for later use.
- Toast the black pepper: While the pasta finishes cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and toast it briefly until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Melt the butter: Add the butter to the skillet with the toasted pepper and let it melt gently, stirring occasionally. Avoid letting the butter brown to maintain a delicate flavor.
- Combine pasta and butter: Drain the fettuccine when it is slightly firm (al dente) and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the butter and pepper. Toss vigorously so the pasta is evenly coated with the butter mixture.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Lower the heat or remove the skillet from the burner. Add the finely grated Parmesan cheese gradually while continuously tossing the pasta. Add small splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce texture.
- Finish and serve: Adjust seasoning with more freshly ground black pepper and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while the pasta is still creamy and hot.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps emulsify the sauce and achieve a silky texture.
- Toast the black pepper carefully to enhance its flavor but avoid burning for bitterness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best taste and melting quality.
- Serve immediately as the sauce is best enjoyed hot and creamy.
- This dish is simple but depends on the quality of butter and cheese for best results.
