Design Series 2026: Saffron Pasta with Garlic Butter and Parsley
Saffron-infused fettuccine meets a savoury medley of garlic, parsley and parmesan for a sophisticated twist on classic pasta.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon (1 gram) saffron
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) olive oil
- ½ cup (112 grams) butter
- 8 cloves (40 grams) garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
- ½ teaspoon (2 grams) freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup (26 grams) flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped, for garnish
- ½ cup (25 grams) grated parmesan cheese, for garnish
Special Equipment:
KitchenAid® Stand Mixer, Flat Beater Accessory, Dough Hook Accessory, KitchenAid® 3-in-1 Pasta Attachment, rimmed baking sheet, 8-quart stockpot, 12-inch/30-cm sauté pan
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6 servings
Instructions
In a small bowl, pour tablespoon of hot water over saffron threads. Place flour in KitchenAid® Stand Mixer Bowl. Add salt and stir to combine. Make a well and add eggs. Attach Stand Mixer Bowl and Flat Beater. Mix ingredients on speed 1 for 1 minute until shaggy. Scrape sides of bowl to incorporate ingredients if needed. Add saffron and soaking liquid. Switch to Dough Hook Accessory and turn mixer to speed 2. Knead dough for 4-5 minutes. Dough should hold together when pressed between fingers; if too dry, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until it comes together. If too sticky, add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove dough from bowl to lightly floured surface and knead by hand until smooth. Shape into a ball. Cover and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
While pasta dough is resting, make garlic butter. Heat olive oil over medium heat in sauté pan. Add butter and stir to combine. Add chopped garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes or until just golden. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and turn off heat. Bring 4 quarts water to a boil for cooking pasta in stockpot.
To make fettuccine, divide rested pasta dough into four quarters. Cover 3 portions and shape remaining portion into an oval about ½ inch thick. Attach 3-in-1 Pasta Attachment to Stand Mixer and turn mixer to speed 4. Set roller to thickness setting 1 and feed dough through 3 times. Fold dough into thirds and feed through 3 more times. Repeat until dough sheet is smooth. Change setting to thickness 2 and feed through 2 times. Repeat for each thickness setting until desired thickness is reached, setting 4-5 for fettuccine. Flour dough sheet well on both sides and transfer rolled dough to fettuccine cutter to cut into fettuccine strands. Flour pasta and set aside on floured sheet pan to continue the rolling and cutting of the remaining pasta portions. When pasta dough is cut, add pasta to boiling water and cook for 7-8 minutes. Drain pasta and add to garlic butter. Garnish with chopped parsley and parmesan and serve.
Saffron pasta can also be served with butter and shredded parmesan cheese.