Mizithra Pasta The Old Spaghetti Factory Copycat

I loved going to The Old Spaghetti Factory as a kid. I loved sitting in the streetcar and getting spumoni ice cream with every meal. The absolute best part of the experience, though, was the Mizithra Pasta. It was buttery and cheesy and I licked the plate clean every time. I love when we can nail down a favorite dish from one of our favorite places. This recipe is very simple – only a couple of ingredients – but it is sure to please any dinner crowd.

Ingredients in Mizithra Pasta

This rich, delicious copycat recipe comes together with only FOUR ingredients. It’s one of the easiest pasta dishes you’ll ever make!

16 ounces Spaghetti noodles – one pound or 16 ounces of spaghetti. You can use angel hair, linguine, or fettuccini noodles, whatever you have on hand. Butter – two sticks, or one cup. You can use unsalted butter or regular butter but don’t substitute for margarine or anything else. You need the butter in this recipe! Everything in moderation, right? Mizithra cheese – a greek cheese, about six ounces, finely grated. You can find mizithra cheese at Trader Joe’s, Harmon’s, Sprouts, and other grocery stores. Fresh basil – this is optional, but delicious and so pretty as a garnish. You can also garnish with fresh parsley too.

Other Ingredient Ideas

Authentic Mizithra Pasta is very simple with just the ingredients listed above. However, if you would like to add some additional ingredients to give it a little more flavor and variety here are some ideas.

Garlic Onions Mushrooms Bacon Black Pepper

What is Mizithra Cheese?

Mizithra (sometimes spelled Myzithra) cheese is a Greek whey cheese made from goat’s and sheep’s milk. When it is first made, it resembles ricotta cheese, with a more mild taste, but then it can be salt-dried into a harder cheese. This harder type of Mizithra cheese is considered Greek cuisine’s parmesan or Romano cheese and is most commonly used to grate over fresh pasta. The salt drying process gives it a salty, nutty flavor that adds so much to this dish! If you can’t find mizithra cheese, feta has a similar flavor and texture and is a good substitute. Mascarpone and cotija cheese are other good options.

Where to Find Mizithra Cheese

Finding Mizithra cheese can be a little tricky. I usually have to look in the deli section of the grocery store in their “fancy” cheese display. It can be spelled Mizithra or Myzithra. Most stores sell it by the pound and offer different sized blocks that you can choose from. It is a little pricier of a cheese, but I promise it is so worth it!!

What is Brown Butter?

You might be thinking “What is brown butter? I’ve never seen that at the store,” and you’re right! Brown butter is made by cooking regular butter until it turns a lovely brown color. Cooking the butter gives it this incredibly deep flavor that goes well with savory dishes, like this Mizithra Pasta, but also sweet dishes like our Brown Butter Pecan Pie!

How to Make Brown Butter

The most important thing to remember when making brown butter is to boil it over medium heat. You don’t want it to burn!! Start with a light colored pan, so you can see the color of the butter easier at the bottom of the pan. Once the butter melts and gets hot, it will start to foam. I like to pick up the pan and swirl it around a little to help me see the color through the foam. Once the butter turns a deep golden brown, and you start to smell a little bit of a nutty smell – it is ready! Transfer it to a heat-safe small bowl and let the milk particles sink to the bottom while it cools. Then transfer it to a different bowl, trying to leave most of the solid particles behind. You can also strain it through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer. READ NEXT: 35+ Quick and Easy to Follow Dinner Ideas

More Favorite Pasta Dishes

There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of warm pasta. Try some of these delicious pasta dinners next time you’re in need of some serious comfort food.