Smoky Brown-Butter Pasta

• servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

12 oz. spaghetti

Kosher salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp. smoked paprika

Freshly ground pepper

Chopped salted roasted almonds and parsley (for serving; optional)

Directions

Cook 12 oz. spaghetti in a large pot of boiling generously salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking liquid, and set aside.

Cook ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter in same pot over medium-high heat, stirring and scraping bottom often to prevent burning, until it foams, then browns and is very fragrant, about 4 minutes. Quickly stir in 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and 2 Tbsp. smoked paprika, then immediately add reserved pasta and ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. Cook, stirring and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a loose, glossy sauce forms, 2–3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Divide pasta among shallow bowls and top with chopped salted roasted almonds and parsley if desired.