Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra (Must Try 15 Minute Meal!)

Published October 20, 2012. Updated April 17, 2024

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Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra takes only 15 minutes to come together, but you’ll feel like you’re sitting down for your favorite Old Spaghetti Factory dish. Deep and complex browned butter coats the perfectly cooked pasta, which is then sprinkled with salty and creamy mizithra cheese—fantastic!

This Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra cheese can be made in 15 minutes (yes, 15 minutes), and it’s a recipe you are going to want to keep for life. Made with simple ingredients yet it has such incredibly satisfying flavor!

Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra

In my opinion one of the best entrees you can get at the Old Spaghetti Factory is their Spaghetti with Mizithra and Browned Butter. It is simply amazing! But, why go there and spend $11 for one when you can feed a family of 4 the same meal for less than that at home?

It’s funny to me posting such a simple recipe because it’s so simple you don’t need a recipe for it, this is more sharing the idea if you haven’t yet tried it.

Another great thing about this meal is that it pleases everyone, from the gourmet sleuth to your pickiest eater. No one can deny the delicious flavors of this pasta. And “Mizithra,” isn’t it just fun to say?

You can serve this garnished with chopped fresh parsley like they do at The Old Spaghetti Factory but I really don’t think it needs it, it’s more for looks. I would also say no salt is needed because the Mizithra brings enough salt to the dish.

You could add in more fillers like roasted garlic, sauteed bread crumbs, fresh lemon juice/zest or fresh basil but really this meal is perfect with it’s three simple ingredients.

You can find Mizithra cheese in the specialty cheese section of most grocery stores (which is usually near the produce section) or at Greek specialty stores. This is comfort food at it’s simplest and best. Some days you just need some delicious carbs. Enjoy!

Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra

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Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra (Must Try 15 Minute Meal!)

Made with simple ingredients yet it has such incredibly satisfying flavor!
Servings: 4
Prep5 minutes
Cook15 minutes
Ready in: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
  • 1/2 cup salted butter , sliced into pieces
  • 3 oz finely grated Mizithra cheese , or to taste

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to directions listed on package (I'd recommend beginning with very hot tap water to boil the pasta as this will cut the time you have to wait for the water to boil). Meanwhile, place butter in a light-colored, small saucepan over medium heat. 
  • Cook butter, swirling pan occasionally, until it has browned begin with sliced butter to ensure even melting.*
  • Drain cooked pasta well (DO NOT rinse the pasta with water or the butter won't stick). Plate pasta, pour browned butter over pasta (sediments on bottom and all), sprinkle with Mizithra cheese and toss if desired to evenly coat. 
  • Serve immediately, you can also serve it with fresh cracked black pepper and chopped fresh parsley if desired (I don't think any salt is needed because the Mizithra is a pretty salty cheese).

Notes

Here are the stages of to browning butter:
  • The butter will first melt.
  • It will become lemony yellow and after a minute or two it will begin to splatter a bit - I swirl the pan most during this stage to reduce splattering.
  • Then it will foam and begin to smell nutty, then little brown specks will begin to appear in the center of the golden foamy bubbles - this is when you remove it from heat, I wait just a few seconds for a generous amount of specs maybe a 2-inch circle before removing from heat.
  • Color wise it should go from a yellow, to golden tan, to an orange-y toasty golden brown.

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27 Comments

  • Cara

    In case any of you live near the Old Spaghetti Factory, they sell the mizithra cheese mix that they use there. I’ve been eating there for over 40 years and this is the only dish I’ve ever eaten there!!

  • VegasDude

    This is the ONLY thing I order at OSF.. sometimes with a side of marinara
    Been making at home for years now, so simple… I also make their creamy pesto dressing at home.. TO DIE FOR !!!

    • Sarah

      What’s your recipe for their creamy pesto dressing? I looooove that!!!

  • Pat Boren

    I get my Mizithra from Winco, but you can ask the grocery store of your choice to order it for you. Offer them a recipe to display to promote it to other shoppers.

  • yvetye

    I live in phoenix and found it at Aj,’s. 12.99 a lb. I used it on steamed broccoli like spaghetti factory does, it wasn’t the same the cheese was very dry not very favorable. I guess you have to get the right brand.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’ve found it at Smiths but in AZ Frys in the same chain of grocery stores so I remember they usually carried the same products if you want to check there, not sure on the brand but there was only one brand they carried. I also recommend finely shredding it too.

  • IslandBreeze

    I just had this with the Clam Sauce at the Old Spaghetti Factory’s 45th anniversary for $5 plus .99 for gluten free pasta (Manager’s Special… just one sauce would have been $4) with salad and dessert. It was incredibly good, and now I can make it at home, thank you!!