Brown Butter Walnut Pasta

Jump to Recipe

Butter, nuts and parmesan cheese team up to make a fast and easy pasta sauce in this simple recipe for brown butter walnut pasta!

Why we love this recipe

This is one of those simple simple simple ingredients that I make when I don’t want to give more than two seconds thought to dinner.

I always have the ingredients, it is ready in two shakes, it couldn’t be easier to make, and most importantly, it tastes like HEAVEN.

The heaven part is due to the miracle of brown butter, which is butter that has been lovingly melted on the stove until it turns, yes, brown.

Brown butter has a nutty taste that is indescribably delicious, so I won’t even try…but it did give me the idea of adding some nuts to this pasta dish.

And just when I thought heaven couldn’t get any more heavenly…it did.

Ingredients needed for this speedy pasta dish

This is a dish that calls for very few ingredients – pasta, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, black pepper and butter, to be exactly. And so you want every single one of them to be as wonderful as they can be. Because you’re worth it!

Pasta: We like a long pasta like linguine for this recipe, but it will work with whatever you have on hand.
Butter: Use the best kind you can get! This Irish girl loves Kerrygold Salted Butter.
Walnuts: You can use either halves or chopped walnuts.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated if you can!
Black Pepper: Also freshly grated if you can!

How to make this pasta recipe

(Scroll down for the handy complete printable recipe with nutrition info!)

STEP 1: Cook your pasta in heavily salted water according to the package directions. Scoop out 1/2 cup of the magical pasta water before you drain it and set it aside.

STEP 2: While the pasta is cooking, melt four tablespoons butter in a deep skillet over medium heat. Stir it until it turns brown. As soon as that happens, take it off the heat.

STEP 3: Add the drained pasta, some grated Parmesan cheese and some walnuts to the skillet with the butter. Toss everything with tongs until well combined, drizzling in just enough pasta water to make a light sauce.

STEP 4: Serve on warmed plates with a generous grinding of black pepper.

Brown butter pasta FAQ

What is so special about the pasta water?

When pasta cooks, it releases starch into the water (that is what makes it a little cloudy. And since hopefully you have thoroughly salted your water, at the end of the pasta cooking time you have a starchy, salty water that is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for making or loosening up a light pasta sauce. It’s truly magical.

What kind of walnuts should I use for this recipe?

You can use either walnut halves or chopped walnuts. You can usually find both in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips, or if your store has a bulk foods section, you can get just the amount you need from there.

Can I add some protein or veggies to this recipe?

You can! I have tossed in both cooked shredded chicken and cooked shrimp when I add the cheese and the walnuts. And if you want to add some veggies, add a 6 ounce bag (or more!) of baby spinach to the pasta pot a minute or two before the pasta is done.

Have a question that I didn’t cover?

Pop your question in the comments and I will answer pronto!

I highly recommend serving it on warmed plates, because it keeps the pasta nice and hot throughout your meal, and because warmed plates always feel like the height of coziness to me.

Go make yourself and someone you love some brown butter pasta with walnuts now. Heaven!

Other easy pasta recipes we love

Pasta with Buttered Egg Sauce

Eggs, butter, pasta and a few herbs come together in a rich and silky sauce that is fast enough for a weeknight and elegant enough for company!

Pasta with Buttered Egg Sauce

Eggs, butter, pasta and a few herbs come together in a rich and silky sauce that is fast enough for a weeknight and elegant enough for company!

Pasta with Buttered Sour Cream and Bacon

Move over tomato sauce! Pasta with buttered sour cream and bacon is in town, and the pasta is calling!

Pasta with Buttered Sour Cream and Bacon

Move over tomato sauce! Pasta with buttered sour cream and bacon is in town, and the pasta is calling!

Pasta with Baked Camembert

This easy recipe for pasta with baked Camembert cheese is a glorious and elegant version of macaroni and cheese that is good enough for a dinner party!

Pasta with Baked Camembert

This easy recipe for pasta with baked Camembert cheese is a glorious and elegant version of macaroni and cheese that is good enough for a dinner party!

Could you leave us a review? 😋

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section. Your thoughts and advice will help both us and your fellow readers. 🥰

Brown Butter Walnut Pasta

Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Butter, nuts and parmesan cheese team up to make a fast and easy pasta sauce in this simple recipe for brown butter walnut pasta!

Ingredients

8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta in heavily salted water according to package directions. Scoop out 1/2 cup pasta water before you drain it and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat. Stir it until it turns brown. As soon as that happens, take it off the heat.
Add the drained pasta, the cheese and the walnuts to the skillet with the butter. Toss everything with tongs until well combined, drizzling in just enough pasta water to make a light sauce.
Serve on warmed plates with a generous grinding of black pepper.