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Easy Brown Butter Sage Pasta: The Best Cozy Fall Dinner

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A simple, cozy pasta dish featuring nutty browned butter and crispy sage. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s the perfect comforting meal for fall nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or tagliatelle)
  • 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
  • 10–12 large fresh sage leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup (25 grams) finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of water.
  2. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of starchy pasta water before draining.
  3. While the pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt completely, then swirl the pan gently.
  4. Watch the butter as it foams and sizzles. After about 2-3 minutes, the foaming will subside and small brown specks will form. Swirl constantly until the butter turns a deep amber and smells nutty and toasty (about 4-5 minutes total).
  5. Immediately add the sage leaves to the browned butter. Cook for 20-30 seconds, flipping once, until dark green and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  6. Remove the pan from the heat.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the butter and toss with tongs or a wooden spoon. If dry, add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce coats the noodles evenly (about ¼ to ½ cup / 60-120 ml).
  8. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of flaky salt. If using, add Parmesan and lemon juice and toss again.
  9. Divide pasta between warm bowls. Crumble crispy sage leaves over the top. Add a final grating of Parmesan and a twist of black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use a light-colored skillet to see the butter change color. Don’t rush the browning process—medium heat is key. Always reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce. For best results, serve immediately while the sage is crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter pasta, sage pasta, easy pasta recipe, fall dinner, quick pasta, comfort food, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-brown-butter-sage-pasta-the-best-cozy-fall-dinner/