Brussels Sprouts Pasta With Brown Butter Wellplated Com

With just pasta, butter, a squeeze of lemon, and the vegetables you have on hand (Brussels sprouts are my darling at the moment), you can make this rich, all-in-one recipe for a spectacular meal. If you’d like to make the pasta extra special and harvest-y (because “harvest” anything always makes my heart flutter this time of year), I have easy tips to enhance the fall flavors with herbs, dried fruit, and nuts for you too. Topping the Brussels sprouts pasta with a light-but-luxurious brown butter sauce is surprisingly easy, and the payoff is outstanding. It gives it a fancy touch that’s sure to bring life to any evening. The brown butter adds a nutty warmth that helps this meal taste like the very essence of autumn. (If you’re looking for a thick, creamy Brussels sprouts pasta, check out this picky eater-approved Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese.)

Brown Butter: A Must-Try Pasta Delight

The easiest way to elevate your pasta to fancy restaurant quality is to enjoy it with brown butter sauce. It’s a delectable change of pace from standard red sauce. Plus, it is so E-A-S-Y to make!

Brown butter sauce is basically regular butter that you gently cook and stir until it browns, which takes only 3 to 5 minutes.The “browning” is the milk solids in the butter toasting. The butter changes to a rich, nutty flavor with an alluring caramel aroma.So, with minimal time, you have an elegant brown butter sauce that is beyond delish to use for ravioli or any pasta you choose!

Brussels Sprouts and Pasta: A Perfect Pairing

Brussels sprouts transform this recipe into an all-in-one meal. These green gems are easily one of my favorite vegetables to add to any pasta, and they happen to taste divine with brown butter sauce.

When sautéed, Brussels sprouts become tender at their centers and crisp at the edges, making them a perfect counterpoint to al dente noodles.As with these Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, the sweet caramelized notes that emerge while cooking make for an exceptionally appealing meal.Brussels sprouts are good for you! They’re high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C and K, and are one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. When you combine those nutritional benefits with whole grain pasta, this recipe makes for a hearty, super satisfying meal.Brussels sprouts can last for up to 1 week in the fridge, making them easy to keep on hand, both for main dishes like this pasta and for sides like Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic or Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.

Brussels Sprouts Pasta: Next-Level Upgrades

Here are the easy, fantastic ingredients I chose to add to the pasta for more texture, nutrition, and fall flavor. Pick and choose one, two, or all of the below. You will wow yourself!

Dried Cherries. These add a slight sweetness that makes the dish taste balanced and well-rounded. Dried cranberries work nicely too.Butternut Squash. Butternut squash just tastes like fall. Plus, it’s low in calories and high in vitamins (A and C) and minerals (magnesium and potassium). You could also use cauliflower, mushrooms, or additional Brussels sprouts.Pecans. Adding pecans gives the pasta a light crunch that complements the sautéed Brussels sprouts.Lemon. With a dash, this lemon brown butter pasta feels fresh and zesty, as the lemon helps the other flavors pop. If you only add one other ingredient to this recipe, make it a lemon.Herbs. An upgrade that goes the distance. I used thyme because I still had some in my garden, but brown butter pasta with sage is delicious and classic too.

How to Make Brussels Sprouts Pasta

Be sure to also watch the video for an excellent visual on how to brown butter.

Bacon. I’ve never met a brown butter sauce that didn’t taste better with bacon. Having this pasta with Brussels sprouts and bacon would be phenomenal.Broccoli. Brown butter pasta with broccoli would be a smart way to keep a green vegetable if you don’t like Brussels sprouts. Just similarly sauté the broccoli.Chicken. Pasta with Brussels sprouts and chicken pairs well if you want more protein. You can use my Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken, Baked Chicken Breast, Pressure Cooker Chicken, or follow this stovetop method for How to Cook Shredded Chicken, to make it ahead.