Easy Thermos Butter Parmesan Pasta: Best School Lunch
A quick and simple butter Parmesan pasta that stays warm in a thermos for hours, perfect for school lunches. Made with just a few ingredients, this creamy, savory pasta is a crowd-pleaser that comes back empty every time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) short pasta (rotini, fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) kosher salt (for pasta water)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
- Black pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions.
- Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta (do not rinse).
- Return the pasta to the pot or transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the butter and toss until melted and every piece is coated.
- Add the grated Parmesan and toss to combine.
- Add pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing vigorously until a smooth, silky sauce forms (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup / 60-80 ml).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the thermos by filling it with boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Empty the thermos, fill with warm pasta, seal immediately, and pack for lunch.
Notes
Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness in the thermos. Reserve more pasta water than needed for adjusting consistency. Grate Parmesan fresh for best melting. Preheat thermos with boiling water for 5 minutes to keep pasta warm. Work quickly once pasta is cooked to ensure cheese melts properly. Do not rinse pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1.5
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 11
Keywords: thermos pasta, school lunch, butter parmesan pasta, easy pasta recipe, kid-friendly lunch