Nutty & Nice: Brown Butter Sage Sauce

Whisk up the best brown butter sage sauce! This easy Italian-inspired sauce adds nutty richness to pasta, gnocchi & more. Restaurant quality at home! Get the recipe.

May 22, 2025
By Kendra Thompson .

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Okay, let's get cooking! i’m so excited to share this recipe with you. have you ever had one of those dishes that just feels like a warm hug? this brown butter sage sauce is exactly that.

Quick Hook

Honestly, this might be my all-time favorite quick sauce. It's so easy! The brown butter sage sauce transforms pasta into something truly special. The nutty flavor is divine.

A Little Background

This sauce is rooted in classic Italian cooking. They understand simple, fresh flavors! It's a super easy recipe, taking only about 15 minutes, perfect for 4 servings.

What's So Great About It?

Besides tasting amazing? Sage is great for digestion! This sauce makes even a simple weeknight feel special. It just elevates everything!

Ready to make some magic? Let's talk ingredients.

The Magic Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this liquid gold.

• Butter: 8 tablespoons unsalted butter. Cut it into cubes for even melting.
• Sage: ¼ cup fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped. Fresh makes a huge difference!
• Seasoning: A pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Optional: A squeeze of lemon juice and Parmesan cheese for serving.

You'll also need a saucepan and a wooden spoon. Easy peasy!

Nutty & Nice: Brown Butter Sage Sauce Recipe Card

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Preparation time:5 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:4

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped
• Pinch of sea salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice (optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

• Place the butter cubes in the saucepan over medium heat.
• Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter melts completely and begins to foam. Continue cooking until the milk solids at the bottom of the pan turn a nutty brown color and the butter smells fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped sage leaves to the browned butter.
• Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sage is fragrant and slightly crispy.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add lemon juice, if using.
• Spoon the brown butter sage sauce over your pasta, gnocchi, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Making the Sage Butter Sauce Recipe

Listen, browning butter can be a little intimidating. don't worry! just pay attention. melt the butter in your saucepan over medium heat.

Swirl it now and then. it’ll start to foam. that's good! keep cooking until the milk solids turn brown and it smells nutty.

Oh my gosh, the smell! this is where it can burn quickly. don't walk away! reduce the heat and add the sage.

Cook for a minute or two until fragrant. season with salt and pepper. boom! you just made brown butter sauce with sage .

Ravioli With Sage Brown Butter Sauce and Beyond

Okay, so you've got this amazing sauce. now what? toss it with pasta! especially sage butter sauce for ravioli ! it’s incredible.

Drizzle it over roasted veggies. or, you know, just eat it with a spoon. i won't judge.

Sage Butter Sauce for Ravioli : My Story

I remember the first time i made this. i was trying to impress a date. total disaster in the kitchen beforehand! but this brown butter sage sauce ? nailed it.

It saved the night!

Other Options: Brown Butter Basil Sauce ?

Feeling adventurous? try brown butter rosemary sauce . or even brown butter basil sauce for a summery twist. you could use the pasta sage butter instead of regular butter, it is really delicious.

The possibilities are endless!

Don't Forget: How To Make Butter Sauce

The key to how to make butter sauce with this recipe is all about patience and observation. You gotta watch that butter! And use a light colored pan to check the bottom.

Honestly, this sage butter sauce recipe is a game-changer. Try it, and let me know what you think. You won't be disappointed!

Okay, here's that article section, written just like we talked about! Hope you dig it!

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Show on the Road!

So, you wanna whip up some glorious brown butter sage sauce , huh? awesome! it's like, the easiest way to make you feel like you're in a fancy italian restaurant, even if you're just wearing your pajamas.

Trust me, i've been there. speaking of pasta, did you know that in italy, there are over 350 different shapes of pasta? crazy, right?

Here’s what you need:

Main Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes. Go for the good stuff here. Seriously, splurging on better butter makes a huge difference in the final flavor. The higher the fat content, the better it browns, you know?
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped. Gotta be fresh! Dried sage is just sad in this recipe, tbh. You want that vibrant, earthy aroma. If you wanted to try Brown Butter Basil Sauce you would switch sage to basil.
• Pinch of sea salt, or to taste. Because, duh, flavor.
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Adds a little oomph.
• Optional: 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice. A little acid cuts through the richness.
• Optional: 2 tablespoons (30g) grated Parmesan cheese. For serving, because cheese is life.

Honestly, that’s it! Simple, right? This recipe is mostly for Ravioli With Sage Brown Butter Sauce , it can also be used to make a great Sage Butter Sauce For Ravioli.

Seasoning Notes: The Magic Happens Here!

Okay, so the butter and sage are doing most of the heavy lifting here. but don't underestimate salt and pepper.

I like using sea salt – it just tastes better . and freshly ground pepper is a must. it's like, a million times more flavorful than the pre-ground stuff.

A pinch of nutmeg can also add a little something extra to this safe brown butter sauce .

If you are out of Sage you can also use fresh Rosemary, so you can also try make Brown Butter Rosemary Sauce .

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple, Stupid

• Medium-sized saucepan (light-colored if you have one, so you can see the browning action).
• Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula. Don't use metal! It can react with the butter and give it a weird taste. I learned that the hard way!
• That's it! No fancy gadgets required.

Seriously, how to make butter sauce is so easy. this is your go-to recipe for a quick and impressive meal.

So ditch the jarred stuff and let’s get cooking! did i mention that it's also fantastic with gnocchi? i mean, pasta sage butter and gnocchi, what could be better? now you know brown butter sauce with sage ingredients.

Alright, let's talk about making a knockout brown butter sage sauce . honestly, it's one of those things that sounds fancy.

But, it's super easy to whip up. it is so much easier than you think. anyone can do it! think of it as your secret weapon.

Boom, instant flavor!

Prep Like a Pro

First things first. get your mise en place sorted. that basically means having everything ready to go. measure out 8 tablespoons (that’s 113g) of unsalted butter, cubed.

Chop about 1/4 cup (15g) of fresh sage. honestly, fresh sage makes all the difference. make sure the butter is cold.

This will help it brown evenly. you know, little things make a big difference.

And hey, a quick safety reminder. hot butter is, well, hot. be careful! no one wants a burn. also, remember a light colored pan.

This is useful to see when the butter starts to brown, because it can go from perfect to burnt, real fast.

From Butter to Gold: The Step-by-Step

Here's the lowdown on how to make this magic happen:

1. Melt 113g cubed butter in a medium pan over medium heat.
2. Swirl the pan as the butter melts. This helps it cook evenly.
3. Keep cooking until the butter foams and turns a nutty brown. Watch it like a hawk!
4. Reduce heat to low, then add 15g chopped sage.
5. Cook for 1- 2 minutes , until the sage is fragrant.
6. Take off heat, season with salt and pepper.
7. Optional: Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice for brightness.

The butter should reach a temperature hot enough to brown nicely. But, not so hot that it burns. You'll know it when you see it. You got this!

Pro Tips for Amazing Results

Want to really nail it? Here are a few tricks:

• Light-Colored Pan: Use a light-colored pan. It helps you see the browning.
• No Distractions: Don’t walk away! Brown butter burns fast.
• Fresh Herbs: Seriously, fresh sage is key for sage butter sauce recipe .
• Don't throw away those browned bits! Those browned milk solids are the key for the best safe brown butter sauce !

A common mistake? Burning the butter. Keep the heat moderate and watch carefully. You can make this ahead. Just keep the sauce warm until serving time.

I once tried to make this with dried sage. Honestly, it was a disaster. It just didn't have that same oomph. I learned my lesson!

This brown butter sauce with sage is amazing over ravioli with sage brown butter sauce . or even roasted veggies. seriously, try it.

You won't regret it. you can also create amazing brown butter basil sauce and brown butter rosemary sauce .

So there you have it. An easy sage butter sauce for ravioli that'll knock your socks off. Go on, give it a try! Then, let me know what you think!

Alright, let's talk recipe notes for this killer brown butter sage sauce . i wanna make sure you nail it every single time.

This ain't rocket science, but a few things can take it from good to "omg, where's the recipe?!"

Serving it Right: Plating & Pairings

Okay, so you've made this gorgeous sage butter sauce recipe . now, how do you show it off? honestly, presentation is half the battle.

Try twirling your pasta sage butter into a beautiful nest on the plate. a sprinkle of extra chopped sage? chef's kiss!

Pair this ravioli with sage brown butter sauce with a crisp glass of pinot grigio. the acidity cuts through the richness perfectly.

For sides, think simple. a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette will complement without overpowering. or how about some roasted asparagus?

Storing Secrets: Keep it Fresh

So, you've got leftovers? Score! This brown butter sauce with sage keeps pretty well.

• Fridge Time : Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing? : I wouldn't recommend freezing it. The butter can separate. It's better to whip up a fresh batch.
• Reheating : Gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat. Don't boil it! Just warm through. You might need to add a splash of broth to loosen it up.

Variations: Make it Your Own

Honestly, this sauce is a blank canvas.

• Dietary Swaps : To make it dairy-free, use a good quality plant-based butter. Just be careful; it browns faster!
• Seasonal Swaps : In the fall, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon. For summer, try brown butter basil sauce . A squeeze of lemon brightens things up any time of year. You could even try brown butter rosemary sauce .

Nutrition Breakdown: Simple & Sweet

Let's keep it real. this sage butter sauce for ravioli is delicious but rich. it's mostly fat from the butter.

But hey, life is about balance, right? a little indulgence never hurt anyone. savor every bite! think of the sage as your health boost!

Each serving of this safe brown butter sauce has about 200 calories. it's all about the fats in this one, clocking in at around 22g! there's minimal protein (under 1g) and carbs (under 1g).

Remember to factor in all those lovely extras you might serve it with – that'll really affect the final numbers!

So, there you have it! everything you need to know to master this how to make butter sauce . don't be afraid to experiment and have fun.

I promise this brown butter sage sauce will become a staple in your kitchen. go get cooking! you’ve got this!