Brown Butter Fettuccine
Let’s talk about brown butter. No, seriously. It’s not just melted butter—it’s butter that’s had a glow-up, a rebrand, and probably its own curated playlist. It’s nutty, toasty, and smells like it could pay its own rent. And when you swirl it into a creamy, cheesy pasta sauce and hit it with McCormick’s Brown Butter Finishing Salt from their limited-edition line? That’s not dinner. That’s a ✨main character moment✨.
This Brown Butter Fettuccine is what I make when I want to feel like I’ve got my life together—even if I’m eating it in sweats while Netflix asks, “Are you still watching?”
And I need to talk about something I’ve recently become obsessed with:
McCormick dropped this Limited Edition line of Finishing Salts—five bold, bougie, flavor-packed salts—and my pantry has never felt more powerful. Each one brings its own vibe:
- Watermelon Lime Salt – tangy and fun, made for cocktails or grilled pineapple energy
- Zesty Lemon Salt – bright and citrusy, gorgeous on veggies or anything summer
- Smoky Garlic & Rosemary Salt – savory and herby, amazing on roasted potatoes
- Brown Butter Salt – rich, toasty, unreal on pasta, baked goods, or squash
- Balsamic & Herb Salt – sweet, tangy, and totally main character for salads
The coarse texture gives a little crunch, the SnapTight™ lids keep all the flavor locked in, and the versatility? Chef’s kiss. These salts are made for finishing dishes, leveling up flavor, and low-key impressing your dinner guests—or just yourself.
Back to the pasta:
We melt down a stick of butter until golden and nutty, swirl in garlic, add a splash of heavy cream and two dreamy cheeses (Parmesan and Gruyère), then toss with silky fettuccine. Just before serving, hit it with a generous sprinkle of McCormick’s Brown Butter Finishing Salt and prepare for compliments. Even if they’re just from your own brain.
🧂 Fun fact: Brown butter (aka beurre noisette if you’re feeling fancy) has been used by French chefs forever because it adds depth and toasty richness to both savory and sweet recipes. It’s basically the Queen of fats.
Serve it up with fresh basil, extra Parm, and a glass of wine or lemon water in your favorite tumbler. You’re thriving. You’re glowing. Your pasta is glossy. And so is your soul.
Brown Butter Fettuccine
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup freshly shredded Gruyere
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- McCormick Brown Butter Finishing Salt
Instructions
- Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine until it’s just tender (al dente!), following the package directions. Before draining, scoop out about a cup of the pasta water and set it aside — you might need it to loosen up the sauce later.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Let it cook, giving the pan a gentle swirl now and then, until it starts to foam and turns a rich golden brown color. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells nutty and toasty — this usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes, so keep a close eye on it! Once your butter is perfectly browned, stir in the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Remove the pan from the heat right away so the garlic doesn’t burn. Turn the heat down to medium-low and place the skillet back on the burner.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking as you go to blend it into the butter. Stir in the cheeses and keep mixing until the sauce is smooth and melty. If the sauce is thicker than you’d like, gradually stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water — a splash at a time — until you reach your desired saucy consistency.
- Toss the cooked fettuccine right into the skillet and coat it in all that luscious sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper AND don’t forget to sprinkle generously with McCormick’s Brown Butter Finishing Salt!
- Serve immediately, and if you’re feeling fancy, top it with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color.
