Authentic Pasta Fresca with Sage Butter
Fresh pasta made from scratch with a velvety sage butter sauce, honoring the Italian tradition of 'pasta fresca' without dried noodles. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, large eggs, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 30g unsalted butter
- 8 (finely chopped) fresh sage leaves
- 30g (grated) pecorino romano cheese
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Step 1: On a clean surface, mound 100g all-purpose flour and make a well in the center. Add 2 large eggs and a pinch of salt, then gradually incorporate flour into eggs with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 2: Knead the dough for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, wrap in plastic, and rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 3: Roll the dough into 1/8-inch-thick sheets using a pasta machine or rolling pin, then cut into 1-inch-wide strips for tagliatelle.
- Step 4: Cook the fresh pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water for 90 seconds until al dente, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 5: While pasta cooks, melt 30g unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat, add 8 finely chopped sage leaves, and cook for 2 minutes until crisp but not browned.
- Step 6: Toss the drained pasta with the sage butter and 30g grated pecorino romano, adding reserved pasta water 1 tsp at a time until sauce clings to strands.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Pasta Fresca with Sage Butter take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (45 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Pasta Fresca with Sage Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Pasta Fresca with Sage Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Pasta Fresca with Sage Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Pasta Fresca with Sage Butter?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Italian come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
