Brown Butter Sage Ditalini (Print version)

Tender ditalini pasta tossed in nutty brown butter and crispy sage, finished with Parmesan and lemon zest.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12.3 oz ditalini pasta
02 - 8.5 cups water
03 - 1 tbsp kosher salt

→ Sauce

04 - 7 tbsp unsalted butter
05 - 20 fresh sage leaves
06 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
07 - 1.75 oz grated Parmesan cheese
08 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

10 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Lemon zest (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Bring 8.5 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add kosher salt and ditalini pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the pasta.
02 - Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add sage leaves. Cook, swirling occasionally, until butter is golden brown and sage leaves are crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
03 - Remove sage leaves with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels. Add minced garlic to brown butter and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add drained pasta to the skillet with brown butter and garlic. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a smooth sauce.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan, black pepper, and lemon zest if using. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
06 - Plate immediately, garnishing with crispy sage leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Quick yet elegant meal
  • Nutty brown butter and crispy sage flavor
02 -
  • Use fresh sage leaves for the best flavor and texture
  • Reserve pasta water to create a smooth sauce
03 -
  • Watch the butter closely to prevent burning it
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor
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