If you’re looking for a side dish that’s going to steal the show at your next meal, the Browned Butter Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan Recipe is an absolute must-try. This dish brings together crispy, golden potatoes coated in the rich, nutty goodness of browned butter, with the perfect finish of salty Parmesan cheese that melts just enough to add a savory punch. It’s a simple recipe that transforms humble potatoes into an irresistible treat with every bite bursting with flavor, texture, and warmth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its straightforward, quality ingredients that work beautifully together to create a dish that’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with cozy flavor.
- Baby Yukon gold potatoes: Their creamy texture and thin skin roast up perfectly crispy and golden without needing to peel.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for browning and lending a deep, nutty aroma that’s key to this recipe’s signature flavor.
- Olive oil: Helps crisp up the potatoes while balancing the rich butter with a subtle fruity note.
- Garlic, minced: Adds fragrant warmth and a punch of savory intensity.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings out the potatoes’ natural sweetness.
- Black pepper: Just enough bite to contrast the buttery richness.
- Smoked paprika: Introduces a gentle smokiness that complements the browned butter beautifully.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, tangy umami that melts right on the warm potatoes.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A pop of color and fresh herbaceous brightness to finish off the dish.
How to Make Browned Butter Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by heating the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Keep a close eye and stir occasionally—after a few minutes, the butter will foam and turn a gorgeous golden brown. It will also release the most amazing nutty aroma. Once browned, remove it from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes
Place your halved or quartered Yukon gold potatoes in a large bowl. If you want even crispier results, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes beforehand, then pat dry thoroughly. This step helps remove excess starch and promotes crunchiness.
Step 3: Toss the Potatoes
Add olive oil, the warm browned butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the potatoes. Toss everything well so every single piece is glistening and generously coated in this flavorful mixture.
Step 4: Roast to Perfection
Spread the potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet to ensure they roast evenly. Pop them into a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven and roast for about 35 to 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown and irresistibly crispy.
Step 5: Add Parmesan and Finish
As soon as you pull the potatoes from the oven, sprinkle the grated Parmesan over them while they’re still hot. Toss gently so the cheese melts slightly and clings to the crispy potatoes. If you’re using parsley, sprinkle it on top now for a lovely fresh finish.
How to Serve Browned Butter Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley is a classic garnish that adds just the right amount of color and herbal brightness. You can also experiment with finely chopped chives or a light dusting of extra Parmesan for an extra cheesy touch.
Side Dishes
These potatoes excel alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a simple green salad. They’re the kind of crowd-pleasing side dish that can elevate weeknight dinners or holiday feasts with their irresistible flavor profile.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these potatoes in a rustic cast-iron skillet straight from the oven for that cozy, family-style vibe. They’re also fantastic spooned into a bowl and sprinkled with a drizzle of extra browned butter or a dollop of sour cream for a comforting twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though that’s unlikely), cool the potatoes completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days without losing much of their crispness.
Freezing
While these potatoes are best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze them if needed. Place cooled potatoes on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Use within 1 month for optimal flavor and texture.
Reheating
To bring back their crispiness, reheat leftovers in a hot oven or toaster oven at 400°F for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the potatoes soggy and lose that perfect crunch.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! Yukon golds work beautifully for their creamy texture, but red potatoes or fingerlings can also be used. Just make sure they’re cut into uniform pieces for even roasting.
Is there a dairy-free alternative for the browned butter and Parmesan?
You can substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based margarine and swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast, which adds a delightful cheesy flavor without dairy.
How important is the browned butter in this recipe?
The browned butter is key to this recipe’s unique depth of flavor—it adds a nutty, caramel-like richness that elevates the potatoes beyond ordinary roasted spuds.
Can I prepare the browned butter in advance?
Yes! You can brown the butter ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Warm it slightly before mixing with the potatoes to get the best coating and flavor.
What’s the best way to get the potatoes super crispy?
Ensuring the potatoes are dry before roasting, spreading them out evenly on the pan, and flipping them halfway through will all contribute to crispier potatoes. Soaking them beforehand to remove starch also helps if you have time.
Final Thoughts
You truly can’t go wrong with the Browned Butter Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan Recipe. It’s simple enough for a cozy weeknight dinner but impressive enough for guests, delivering comfort and indulgence in every crispy, buttery bite. Give this recipe a try and watch it quickly become your go-to side dish that everyone raves about.
Print
Browned Butter Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a flavorful twist on classic roasted potatoes with these Browned Butter Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they are tossed in nutty browned butter, garlic, smoked paprika, and finished with salty Parmesan and fresh parsley. Perfect as a comforting side dish for any meal or holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
Butter Mixture
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Finishing Touches
- â…“ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by heating your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp the potatoes.
- Browns Butter: Place the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until it melts, foams, and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the halved or quartered baby Yukon gold potatoes with olive oil, the browned butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all pieces.
- Arrange for Roasting: Spread the coated potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet ensuring they have space to roast evenly and get crispy.
- Roast Potatoes: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the potatoes for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- Add Parmesan: Once golden and crispy, remove the potatoes from the oven and immediately sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over them. Toss gently so the cheese coats the potatoes while still warm.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and fresh flavor. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For extra crispy potatoes, soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before roasting, then pat dry thoroughly.
- Parmesan can be substituted with Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative.
