Fettuccine Pasta Tossed with Garlic Butter and Sage
Simple yet elegant fettuccine tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with crispy sage leaves for a comforting Italian pasta dish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 15 leaves fresh sage leaves
- 1 tbsp for pasta water salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain the pasta.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 15 fresh sage leaves and fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp and fragrant, then remove leaves with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet with the butter, add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is golden and fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Step 4: Add the drained fettuccine to the skillet along with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the sauce coats the noodles smoothly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and the crispy sage leaves over the pasta. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fettuccine Pasta Tossed with Garlic Butter and Sage take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Fettuccine Pasta Tossed with Garlic Butter and Sage?
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 fettuccine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fettuccine Pasta Tossed with Garlic Butter and Sage?
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 Fettuccine Pasta Tossed with Garlic Butter and Sage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Fettuccine Pasta Tossed with Garlic Butter and Sage?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
