Creamy Red Curry Pasta

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Cook 1 lb. spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions.

   Step 2

   Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced, and 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add one 4-oz. can red curry paste and cook, stirring often, until paste is fragrant and slightly darkened and beginning to stick to bottom of pot, about 3 minutes.

   Step 3

   Pour in one 13.5-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk and bring to a simmer, stirring and scraping up any browned bits. Cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens enough to lightly coat a spoon, about 3 minutes.

   Step 4

   Using tongs, transfer pasta to sauce (a little water coming along is okay). Add 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces, and ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. Increase heat to medium; cook, tossing vigorously and adding more pasta cooking liquid by the ¼-cupful as needed, until sauce is silky and pasta is coated and glossy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice; toss to combine.

   Step 5

   Divide pasta among shallow bowls; top with thinly sliced scallion greens. Serve with lemon wedges.