Herbed Butter Linguine Delight
Experience the delightful fusion of fresh herbs and rich butter in this quick and easy pasta dish. Inspired by a recipe from the Weight Watchers cookbook 'Cook it Quick', this Herbed Butter Linguine is a perfect weeknight meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor from the aromatic blend of parsley, basil, thyme, and oregano, making it a tasty treat today or a wonderful side for grilled chicken or fish. A small amount of butter enhances the herbs beautifully while keeping the dish light and satisfying. Enjoy this dish with a sprinkle of fresh pepper for an extra kick!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
linguine
6 ounces (uncooked)
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (minced)
fresh basil
1 tablespoon (minced)
fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon (leaves only)
fresh oregano
1 tablespoon (minced)
garlic clove
1 (bruised and peeled)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
to taste (freshly cracked)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2
While the pasta is cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3
Add the minced parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, bruised garlic clove, salt, and freshly cracked pepper to the melted butter.
4
Reduce the heat to low and sauté the herbs gently until they are fragrant and wilted, about 2-3 minutes, taking care not to brown the butter.
5
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and transfer to a serving bowl.
6
Remove and discard the garlic clove from the herbed butter mixture.
7
Pour the aromatic herbed butter over the drained linguine and toss gently to ensure the pasta is well coated with the buttery herb mixture.
8
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
9
Serve immediately, garnished with extra herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbed Butter Linguine Delight?
It is a quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring linguine tossed in a rich, aromatic mixture of unsalted butter and fresh herbs like parsley, basil, thyme, and oregano.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
This recipe is designed to be completed in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight meal.
What ingredients are needed for the herb butter?
The herb butter consists of unsalted butter, minced fresh parsley, minced fresh basil, fresh thyme leaves, minced fresh oregano, a bruised garlic clove, salt, and freshly cracked pepper.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, Herbed Butter Linguine Delight is a vegetarian-friendly dish as it contains no meat products.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 ounces of uncooked linguine.
How do I prepare the garlic for this dish?
The garlic clove should be bruised and peeled, then sautéed with the herbs to infuse the butter with flavor before being discarded.
Should I keep the garlic in the final dish?
No, you should remove and discard the garlic clove from the herbed butter mixture before tossing the butter with the linguine.
What is the secret to sautéing the herbs?
The herbs should be sautéed gently over low heat for 2-3 minutes until they are fragrant and wilted, ensuring the butter does not brown.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
While fresh herbs provide the best flavor profile for this dish, you can use dried herbs in a smaller quantity (roughly one-third of the fresh amount) if necessary.
How should the linguine be cooked?
The linguine should be cooked in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions until it reaches an al dente texture, usually 8-10 minutes.
Is there a specific way to toss the pasta?
After draining the pasta, pour the herbed butter over it and toss gently to ensure every strand of linguine is well coated.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the Weight Watchers cookbook 'Cook it Quick'.
Can I serve this as a side dish?
Yes, this linguine makes a wonderful side for proteins like grilled chicken or fish.
What kind of butter is recommended?
Unsalted butter is recommended so that you can better control the salt levels of the final dish.
How do I garnish this dish?
You can garnish the pasta with extra fresh herbs and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for an extra kick.
Is there a lot of salt in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt plus additional to taste, keeping it light yet flavorful.
Can I use salted butter instead?
Yes, but you should reduce the amount of added salt to avoid making the dish too salty.
Is this dish spicy?
The dish is not inherently spicy, though the freshly cracked black pepper provides a mild, aromatic heat.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
The current data does not specify calories or macronutrients, but it is noted as a light and satisfying Weight Watchers-inspired meal.
What are the four primary fresh herbs used?
The recipe uses a blend of parsley, basil, thyme, and oregano.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Yes, adding sautéed vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms would complement the herbed butter well.
What does 'al dente' mean for the pasta?
Al dente means the pasta should be cooked so that it is still firm to the bite, not mushy.
Do I need any special equipment?
You only need a large pot for the pasta and a small nonstick skillet for the herb butter.
What is the best way to serve this?
It should be served immediately while hot to enjoy the best texture and aroma of the butter and herbs.
Can I substitute linguine for another pasta?
Yes, spaghetti, fettuccine, or even angel hair pasta would work well with this herb butter sauce.
Is the garlic minced or whole?
The garlic is kept as a single bruised clove to provide a subtle infusion without leaving strong bits of garlic in the dish.
How much fresh parsley is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley.
Is the butter browned in this recipe?
No, the recipe specifically instructs you to take care not to brown the butter while sautéing the herbs.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, with only 9 ingredients and a simple preparation process, it is tagged as an easy, beginner-friendly recipe.