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Brown Butter Gemelli

Brown Butter Gemelli

with Asparagus, Walnuts, and Lemony Ricotta
Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on January 23, 2026
Calories
810 kcal
Protein
29g protein
Difficulty
Easy
Allergens:
  • Cereals containing gluten
  • Milk
  • Nuts
  • Peanut
  • May contain traces of allergens
  • Sesame
  • Nuts
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
serving amount

8

Asparagus

1

Lemon

2

Garlic Clove

2

Scallions

6

Gemelli Pasta

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten)

4

Ricotta Cheese

1

Chilli Flakes

¼

Parmesan Cheese

(Contains: Milk)

1

Walnuts

(Contains: Peanut, Nuts, May contain traces of allergens, Sesame, Nuts)

1

Vegetable Stock Concentrate

3

Butter

(Contains: Milk)

Not included in your delivery

2

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

/ per serving
Energy (kJ)3389 kJ
Energy (kcal)810 kcal
Fat43 g
of which saturates18 g
Carbohydrate85 g
of which sugars9 g
Protein29 g
Salt500 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.
Medium Pot
Zester
Small Bowl
Strainer
Large Frying Pan

Instructions

Prep
1

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. Trim and discard woody bottom ends from asparagus; cut stalks crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Zest and quarter lemon. Mince garlic. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Cut 3 TBSP butter into cubes (6 TBSP for 4 servings).

Cook Pasta and Mix Ricotta
2

Once water is boiling, add gemelli to pot. Cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine ricotta, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a large pinch of salt and pepper.

Toast Walnuts and Cook Asparagus
3

Heat a large, dry pan over medium-high heat. Add walnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until browned and just tender, 4-6 minutes. Turn off heat; transfer to a plate. Wash out pan.

Brown Butter
4

Add cubed butter to same pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and foamy. Continue stirring until foaming subsides and butter is flecked with amber bits, 2-3 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and stir in juice from half the lemon, garlic, scallion whites, and chili flakes to taste. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Finish Pasta
5

Return same pan to medium heat and stir in gemelli, stock concentrate, and asparagus. Season with salt and pepper. Add half the Parmesan and a splash of reserved pasta cooking water. Cook, stirring and adding splashes of pasta cooking water as necessary until smooth and creamy, 2-3 minutes. TIP: If cheese clumps, continue stirring and adding splashes of pasta cooking water until smooth.

Finish and Serve
6

Taste and season gemelli with salt and pepper; divide between bowls. Dollop with lemony ricotta and sprinkle with scallion greens, toasted walnuts, remaining Parmesan, and a pinch of chili flakes if desired. Drizzle with olive oil. Cut remaining lemon wedge in half and serve on the side.

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