Cowboy Butter Sauce Pasta | Dinner in 15 Minutes Quick + Easy
This Cowboy Butter Pasta is a quick, flavorful, and easy weeknight dinner ready in just 15 minutes. The rich, buttery sauce infused with herbs, garlic, and a hint of spice coats the pasta perfectly for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
- 12 ounces spaghetti pasta
Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice
- 7 grams fresh chives, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (amount for sauce + extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Garnish:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation Time
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 1-2 servings
Step 1: Boil the Water and Salt
Bring a large pot (4-5 quarts) of water to a rolling boil.
Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
Step 2: Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
In a separate pan over low heat, melt one stick of salted butter.
Step 3: Add Aromatics to the Butter
Add the chopped garlic and lemon zest to the melted butter.
Add the crushed red pepper flakes and smoked paprika.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
Add the spaghetti to the boiling salted water.
Cook the pasta according to package directions, or until al dente (about 10 minutes).
Step 5: Finish the Sauce
Add the chopped parsley and chives to the butter sauce.
Stir in the Dijon mustard.
Turn off the heat under the butter sauce. Squeeze in the juice of the entire lemon.
Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the pan with the cowboy butter sauce. Both the pasta pot and the sauce pan should be off the heat at this point.
Toss the pasta and sauce together until well combined.
Step 7: Season and Serve
Taste the pasta and add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the pasta topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
