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20-Minute Savory Walnut & Brown Butter Pasta

20-Minute Savory Walnut & Brown Butter Pasta with Pecorino Romano

A quick and elegant pasta dish featuring nutty brown butter, toasted walnuts, fresh herbs, and salty Pecorino Romano cheese. This 20-minute meal is rich, savory, and full of flavor and uses only 6 pantry staple ingredients!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course, Pasta
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz angel hair pasta
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon fresh sage chopped
  • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 tablespoon salted butter
  • ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan
  • Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • Kosher salt to taste

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set pasta aside.

Toast the Walnuts & Herbs:

  • While the pasta cooks, heat a dry pan over medium heat.
  • Add chopped walnuts, fresh sage, and thyme. Stir and toast for 3-5 minutes until aromatic and golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Brown the Butter:

  • Reduce heat to medium-low and add butter to the same pan.
  • Stir continuously as it melts and turns deep golden brown with a nutty aroma (about 3 minutes). Watch closely to prevent burning.
  • Once browned, remove from heat.

Combine & Serve:

  • Return cooked pasta to the pot. Add grated cheese, fresh cracked pepper, browned butter, and toasted walnuts & herbs.
  • Pour in a splash of reserved pasta water and toss until the cheese melts and the sauce reaches a silky consistency. Add more pasta water as needed.
  • Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Pecorino Romano and fresh pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Dietary Restriction & Allergy Friendly Substitutions:
    • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta (like Jovial or Barilla) and reserve extra pasta water to adjust consistency.
    • Nut-Free: Swap walnuts for toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds, or omit them.
    • Dairy-Free & Vegan: Use plant-based butter and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast.
  • Perfectly Brown Your Butter:
    • Keep the heat at medium-low and stir constantly to prevent burning. Watch for a deep golden hue and a nutty aroma—this is when it’s perfectly browned. Remove from heat immediately once browned, as residual heat can quickly turn it from toasty to burnt.
  • Don’t Forget the Pasta Water:
    • Reserved pasta water is key to binding the sauce and achieving the perfect silky texture. Add a splash at a time while stirring until the sauce evenly coats the pasta.
  • Nutritional Information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 13gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Keyword brown butter pasta
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