Description
This One-Pan Brown Butter and Sage Pasta recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish that combines nutty brown butter, fresh sage, sautéed mushrooms and spinach, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a comforting and elegant meal that requires minimal cleanup and delivers maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Barilla® Pronto Pasta (Penne)
Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh sage
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 8 ounces white button mushrooms
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Juice of 1 fresh lemon
Garnish
- Fresh grated cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano), for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Brown Butter and Sage: In a large cast iron pan, melt the butter and olive oil together over medium heat. Reduce the heat slightly and let the mixture brown slowly, which should take about 5-6 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning; the butter will develop a nutty aroma and an amber color.
- Cook the Aromatics and Vegetables: Add the chopped garlic, fresh sage, and sliced mushrooms to the browned butter in the pan. Sauté until the mushrooms release their moisture, shrink, and become tender, about 7 minutes. Then add the spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 3-5 minutes. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, and squeeze in the lemon juice for brightness.
- Cook the Pasta: Transfer the mushroom and spinach mixture to a serving plate and set aside. In the same pan, add the dry pasta along with 3 cups of water and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the water is absorbed and the pasta is al dente.
- Combine and Finish: Return the sautéed vegetables to the pan with the cooked pasta and brown butter sauce. Toss everything together gently to combine, allowing the flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated cheese and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Watch the butter carefully while browning; it can quickly go from brown to burnt.
- Using Barilla® Pronto Pasta or a similar quick-cooking pasta saves time because it cooks directly in the sauce.
- Fresh sage can be substituted with other fresh herbs like thyme if preferred.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with vegan margarine and omit the cheese or use vegan cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
