Sunny Saffron Butter Pasta

This pantry pasta requires just one specialty ingredient to bump it from basic to restaurant-quality: saffron. While the earthy-sweet strands are certainly more expensive than your other spice cabinet regulars, a little goes a long way. Here less than a single teaspoon of crushed saffron threads gets steeped in hot water before imbuing the rich, creamy sauce with honey-like flavor and a vibrant, sunshiny hue. Warm black pepper, salty Parmesan, and a sprinkling of fresh basil at the end provide all the balance you need for a weeknight-friendly but company-worthy dish that will land on your table in just 25 minutes.