Sage and Lemon Butter Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simple yet elegant pasta dish with fresh sage, zesty lemon, and creamy butter sauce that coats every strand perfectly. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, fresh sage leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup, chopped fresh sage leaves
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup chopped sage leaves and 2 tbsp lemon juice, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and sage wilts.
Step 3: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until cheese melts into a glossy sauce that coats every strand.