Ina’s Buttery Sage Magic: A Simple Pasta Sauce Recipe

Ina Garten’s brown butter sage sauce transforms mundane meals into culinary symphonies, weaving magic through simple ingredients.

Fragrant sage leaves waltz with golden butter, creating a liquid masterpiece that whispers gourmet secrets.

Every sizzling moment in the pan tells a story of flavor transformation, where caramelized notes dance with earthy herb essence.

Nutty undertones emerge as butter browns, promising a sensory journey that elevates even the most basic dishes.

Rich and velvety, this sauce represents cooking poetry in its purest form.

Sophisticated yet surprisingly simple, the recipe beckons both novice and experienced cooks to embrace its delectable charm.

You’ll want to drizzle this liquid gold over everything in sight.

Ideas to Present Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Drizzle Over Pasta: Create a heavenly pasta experience by pouring this golden sage brown butter sauce directly over freshly cooked fettuccine, ravioli, or gnocchi for an instant gourmet upgrade.
• Elevate Roasted Vegetables: Transform simple roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower by drizzling this rich, nutty sauce just before serving to add depth and warmth.
• Enhance Protein Dishes: Complement grilled chicken, pan-seared fish, or roasted turkey by spooning this aromatic sage brown butter sauce on top, instantly boosting the dish's flavor profile and elegance.
• Perfect Bread Companion: Use as a luxurious dipping sauce for crusty artisan bread or as a finishing touch for homemade focaccia, allowing the complex flavors to shine through each bite.

Storing Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce Easily

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Advance Flavor Preparation: Craft the sage brown butter sauce up to 3 days before serving, storing it in an airtight container within the refrigerator. Gently reheat when ready to use, stirring to restore its silky smooth consistency.
• Smart Serving Suggestions: Drizzle this luxurious sauce over roasted vegetables, grilled fish, pasta, or freshly baked bread. Versatility makes this sauce a game-changing kitchen staple for elevating simple dishes into gourmet experiences.
• Refrigeration Technique: Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to a sealed glass container. Consume within 4-5 days for optimal taste and texture, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Freezing Strategy: Pour cooled sauce into ice cube trays for convenient portioning. Once frozen, transfer butter cubes to a freezer-safe bag, keeping them fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw individual portions as needed for quick meal enhancement.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Breakdown for Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for pure, clean flavor and better control of seasoning.
• Garlic: Choose fresh, firm garlic cloves with tight, unblemished skin for maximum aromatic punch.

• Sage Leaves: Pick vibrant green, crisp sage leaves without dark spots or wilting for intense herbaceous notes.

• Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and fine kosher salt to layer sophisticated, balanced flavors.

Equipment for Making Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for gentle butter melting and sauce creation, with low-medium heat control.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for chopping fresh garlic and sage leaves.
• Sharp Kitchen Knife: Essential for finely mincing garlic and precisely cutting sage.
• Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Ideal for stirring butter mixture and preventing burning.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season with salt and pepper.

Directions to Prepare Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Create Butter Melting Haven

Grab a medium saucepan and set it on low-medium heat, allowing butter to transform smoothly and gently.

• Unleash Garlic Charm

When butter starts bubbling softly, toss in finely chopped garlic. Swirl and stir to wake up those incredible flavors without scorching.

• Dance with Sage

After garlic releases its magic for about a minute, sprinkle fresh sage leaves. Let them mingle and swirl in the butter, creating an aromatic symphony.

• Craft Liquid Gold

Keep cooking and stirring for 2-4 minutes. Watch for the butter’s mesmerizing transformation: golden hues emerging, nutty fragrances dancing, and a luxurious depth developing.

• Elevate the Flavor

Finish your culinary masterpiece by seasoning with a pinch of black pepper and kosher salt. Stir quickly to spread the love. Your velvety sage brown butter sauce is now ready to turn any ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Cooking Adjustments for Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce

• Butter Browning Mastery: Watch the butter transform like a culinary artist, paying close attention to its color change from pale yellow to rich golden brown. The key is maintaining low-medium heat and constant stirring to prevent burning.
• Sage Selection Secrets: Choose fresh sage leaves with vibrant green color and no wilting. Organic herbs from local farmers markets deliver the most intense, authentic flavor for your brown butter sauce.
• Garlic Intensity Control: Adjust garlic quantities based on personal preference – mince finely for subtle notes or chop roughly for more pronounced aromatic punch. Younger garlic cloves provide milder, sweeter undertones compared to more mature bulbs.
• Versatile Sauce Application: Drizzle this magical sauce over roasted vegetables, pasta, grilled fish, or use as a decadent finishing touch for ravioli and gnocchi. Experiment with different protein and vegetable combinations to discover your favorite pairing.

Heavenly Ina Garten Brown Butter Sage Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Brown Butter Sage Sauce by Ina Garten elevates pasta dishes with its rich, nutty flavor profile. Californian kitchens and Italian traditions blend seamlessly in this simple yet elegant recipe you’ll want to master for elegant dinner experiences.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 oz (113 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (4 tbsps) fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• Kosher salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Butter Transformation: Gently melt butter in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, creating a smooth, controlled liquefaction process without risking burning.
2. Aromatic Infusion: Once butter begins to bubble and turn translucent, introduce minced garlic and freshly chopped sage leaves, stirring constantly to develop a rich, herbaceous flavor profile.
3. Color and Fragrance Development: Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, carefully monitoring the butter’s transition from pale yellow to a deep golden-brown, allowing a nutty, caramel-like aroma to emerge.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat at the precise moment the butter reaches a rich amber color, immediately seasoning with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to amplify the sauce’s complexity.
5. Final Presentation: Swiftly transfer the sage brown butter sauce to a serving dish, letting residual heat continue to marry the intricate flavors and releasing the full aromatic potential of the herb-infused butter.

Notes

• Watch Temperature Carefully: Butter can quickly transition from perfectly golden to burnt, so maintain low-medium heat and monitor closely during browning process.
• Timing is Critical: Sage leaves should be added at precise moment to release maximum flavor without becoming bitter or burned.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh sage leaves and high-quality unsalted butter for the most vibrant and authentic brown butter sage sauce flavor profile.
• Prevent Burning: Remove pan from heat immediately when butter reaches deep amber color to stop cooking process and preserve nutty, rich taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 0 mg (not including salt to taste)
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 28 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg