Cavatappi with Broccolini, Brown Butter, and Sage

A luxurious pasta dish combining al dente cavatappi with crisp-tender broccolini, aromatic brown butter, and crispy sage leaves. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, this recipe creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

4 servings

45 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•1½ tablespoons Kosher salt
•2 bunches Broccolini
•2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•2 cloves garlic
•¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
•½ teaspoon black pepper
•1 pound cavatappi pasta
•6 tablespoons unsalted butter
•15 leaves fresh sage
•½ cup Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with water and ice and set aside.
10 min
2.
Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt and the broccolini to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer the Broccolini to the ice water to stop the cooking and let cool. Keep the pot of water boiling for the pasta. Drain the broccolini in a colander, cut the stalks in half crosswise, and set aside.
5 min
3.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add the blanched broccolini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the broccolini to a medium bowl and set aside.
7 min
4.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the directions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander.
12 min
5.
Meanwhile, wipe out the skillet, return it to medium-low heat, and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the sage leaves and cook until the butter turns amber brown and the sage shrivels, 4 to 6 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Stir in the cooked pasta until incorporated, then fold in the broccolini and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.
8 min
6.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, adding more pasta water until you achieve desired creaminess. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
3 min

Cooking Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with water and ice and set aside.

10 min

Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt and the broccolini to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer the Broccolini to the ice water to stop the cooking and let cool. Keep the pot of water boiling for the pasta. Drain the broccolini in a colander, cut the stalks in half crosswise, and set aside.

5 min

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add the blanched broccolini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the broccolini to a medium bowl and set aside.

7 min

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the directions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander.

12 min

Meanwhile, wipe out the skillet, return it to medium-low heat, and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the sage leaves and cook until the butter turns amber brown and the sage shrivels, 4 to 6 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Stir in the cooked pasta until incorporated, then fold in the broccolini and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.

8 min

Stir in the Parmesan cheese, adding more pasta water until you achieve desired creaminess. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

3 min