Easy 5-Ingredient Brown Butter Pasta Recipe with Sage and Toasted Pecans
A quick and comforting pasta dish featuring nutty brown butter, crispy sage leaves, toasted pecans, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225g) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti)
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
- 10–12 fresh sage leaves, washed and patted dry
- ½ cup (60g) toasted pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup (60g) chopped pecans and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring often until fragrant and golden. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter. Keep stirring constantly—the butter will foam, then turn a golden brown with nutty aromas, about 4-5 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
- Add 10-12 fresh sage leaves to the browned butter. They should sizzle and become crispy in about 1-2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sage and set aside on paper towels to drain.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the browned butter. Toss to coat evenly. If the pasta feels dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach a silky consistency.
- Stir in the toasted pecans and ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine. Plate the pasta and garnish with the crispy sage leaves on top.
Notes
Don’t rush the butter browning step; the nutty aroma and golden color indicate perfection. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning. Fresh sage leaves add the best flavor and texture but dried sage can be used as a substitute.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup of pasta
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: brown butter pasta, sage pasta, toasted pecans, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, 5-ingredient pasta, comforting pasta