An option for a night when the last thing you want to do is cook or for picky kids or a blank canvas for any number of pasta dishes – that’s what I’m sharing with you in this recipe for Easy and Perfect Buttered Spaghetti.
Did schools still teach Home Ec when you were a kid? They did when I was in high school in the late 80’s. I think they still should. Even though I can teach my two children to cook in my own kitchen I think it would still be valuable for them to learn the basics of cooking and feeding oneself – the math and measurements, budgeting, menu planning, self reliance and so much more in a classroom setting. Because after all, how many children have a food blogger for a mom? Kids (and even adults) without basic cooking skills are on the rise these days.
I know this because I keep seeing ads for apps and programs to teach kids how to cook. The marketers make slick looking commercials showing kids neatly chopping vegetables, mashing avocados, and giving thumbs up to their taco creation (maybe you’ve seen the ad I’m talking about)? It really bothers me because there used to be systems in place to teach cooking on a larger scale but it’s basically been done away with in the schools. People on a larger scale don’t cook at home anymore. We’re a take-out society. Believe me, I get the ‘busyness’ of it all that has helped make this happen. I know nothing stays the same. I guess something about having to buy a kit or course that’s so flashy to teach something so necessary for life – knowing how to feed oneself – just seems ridiculous.
Anyway that’s the reasoning behind this recipe today. If you are struggling with how to feed yourself or your kids and your fridge is bare, you’re tired, you’re at a loss because dinner happens every. single. night. or you just don’t like to cook – I have got the meal for you. This buttered spaghetti is obviously easy. But it’s perfect because of a few simple things.
Tips for making Easy and Perfect Buttered Spaghetti:
- Generously salt your pasta water to help flavor your pasta
- Place a wooden spoon across the top of your pot to keep the water from boiling over (it works even if the spoon isn’t wooden – I’ve used a heat-safe rubber spatula before)
- Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before you drain the cooked pasta – adding this with the butter makes for a creamier “sauce” for the finished pasta
- I like using freshly grated Parmesan but even the Parm in the ‘green can’ is good with this recipe
- The red pepper flakes are optional if you don’t like spice – but we really like the extra flavor it adds
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Easy and Perfect Buttered Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 box (16 oz) spaghetti
- 1 tbsp salt
- 6 tbsp butter salted or unsalted - whatever you have on hand
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh or bottled
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Fill a large pot about 3/4 full with cold water and add the salt. Bring the water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions (usually 9 - 11 minutes).
- Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest. Place the cooked spaghetti back into the pot over low heat.
- Add the butter, lemon juice and reserved pasta water. Add the water a little at a time and stir until the butter is melted and the pasta looks "sauced". You may not need the full 1/2 cup of the reserved water. Turn the heat off.
- Toss in the Parmesan and red pepper flakes with the pasta. Serve immediately.
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
This takes me back to my childhood – I didn’t like sauce s I always did butter and cheese 🙂 The added tips are great – especially the spoon over the pot!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lauren!
Dana says
I love this kind of spaghetti! I’ve never made it myself but now I feel like I can! I haven’t had it in a long while so I think I’ll give it a try soon.
foodtasticmom says
I hope you do. Thanks Dana!
Shanika says
This looks so yummy! I love how simple and easy it is. Perfect for my little guy!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you. I hope he likes this spaghetti
Jenni LeBaron says
I bet the lemon juice really livens this dish up and I love the little bit of red pepper flakes to elevate it even more!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you – the lemon juice really does make this pasta delicious.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
When I was a kid, my favorite way to eat pasta was just like this! (Minus the chili flakes…I wasn’t that sophisticated then!)
foodtasticmom says
I wasn’t either 🙂
Ameerah says
I can not wait to try this. I make this type of spaghetti with butter but I make mine with pasta sauce.
Next time I will most definitely put this on the list to make . It looks so yummy .
foodtasticmom says
So glad to hear this. Sometimes simple is just the thing!
Dave A says
Home Ec is still a thing, and people being unable to cook is definitely not on the rise. Everyone I know is more than capable of preparing yummy dishes.
Very good recipe, though, thank you! Just wanted to share my thoughts as a gen z kid.
foodtasticmom says
Well, that is good to know! I’m glad.