Step 1

Heat a large stockpot of generously-salted water until boiling.  Add the pasta (at the same time you being browning the butter, see below) and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente.

Step 2

At the same time* that you add the pasta to the boiling water, begin cooking the butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Continue cooking until the butter has melted and begins to foam, stirring frequently to ensure that the butter cooks evenly.  Add in the lemon zest and a few twists of black pepper and continue cooking the butter, stirring frequently, until it starts to turn golden brown and smells toasty.  (Keep a very close eye on the butter so that it does not burn; it can go from golden to burnt very quickly!)

Step 3

Using a heat-safe measuring cup, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy pasta water from the stockpot and immediately pour it into the brown butter mixture.  (Be careful and pour slowly because it will bubble.)  Let the mixture simmer and reduce for a few minutes until it has thickened slightly, stirring occasionally.  Add in the grated Parmesan and lemon juice and whisk until combined.

Step 4

Once the pasta is 2 minutes shy of al dente, use a strainer to transfer the pasta directly to the brown butter sauce.  Then toss it with the sauce, stirring gently and constantly, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thick and glossy and coats the pasta evenly.  (If the sauce seems too dry, just add in an extra 1/4 cup at a time of the remaining starchy pasta water as needed.) Taste and season with extra salt, if needed.

Step 5

Serve immediately, garnished with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and cracked black pepper if desired, and enjoy!