Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce with Brown Butter

Name: Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce with Brown Butter
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick); 1/2 cup chopped pecans (can sub walnuts (See Tips below)); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1-2 small garlic cloves, minced (about a teaspoon); 10 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped; pinch of red pepper flakes (optional); 2-3 tbsp Parmesan cheese (for topping); freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional, for topping); 12-16 oz. butternut squash ravioli (I love the Rana brand from Costco)

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This Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce is insanely delicious with the savory flavors of brown butter, sage, and a hint of garlic. This sauce pairs perfectly with the sweetness of butternut squash ravioli. It’s perfect for entertaining and guess what?! It can be made in about 15 minutes!

Looking for more easy fall recipes? Try this Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce, this comforting Three Bean Chili, or these easy Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!

A plate of ravioli topped with a sage brown butter sauce and pecans.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

QUICK & EASY RECIPE – You’ll never believe this recipe only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish! I KNOW. The first time I made it, I was shocked too!
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – This recipe only uses a handful of ingredients, all of which can be found at your regular chain grocery store.
LET’S ENTERTAIN! – This is a great recipe to impress family and friends!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients needed to make Brown butter sauce for Butternut Squash Ravoli.

INGREDIENT NOTES

Butternut Squash Ravioli: Making your own homemade ravioli is a time-consuming endeavor, let’s be honest. So take a little help from the store! My favorite brands are Rana (can be found at Costco!), and even the Good & Gather brand at Target is yummy.

If you insist on making fresh ravioli from scratch, try this recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli Recipe.

Nuts: I have found pecans work the best, but walnuts and pine nuts are also great!

Butter: Salted butter, please!

HOW TO MAKE BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI SAUCE: STEP-BY-STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the printable recipe card below!

Step 1: In a large pot of salted water, cook your ravioli according to package directions; set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, turn to medium-low heat and keep heating. You will see the butter begin to slowly change. First, it will be a bit foamy, then it will turn brown. When it’s done, butter should be dark golden brown and have a nutty smell! The process of browning the butter takes about 5 to 8 minutes.

To the browned butter, add chopped pecans, garlic, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well.

Brown butter with pecans cooking on the stove in a saucepan.

Steps 2 & 3: Remove pan from the heat and add chopped sage leaves. Stir to combine.

Spoon delicious, nutty brown butter sauce over cooked ravioli, top with Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper (if using).

Brown butter sauce for Butternut Squash Ravoli in a saucepan with sage added.

Butternut Squash Ravoli on a white plate with brown butter sauce being poured over the top.

RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS

Saucepan: To make brown butter, I suggest using a light-colored bottom saucepan. It can be done in a dark bottom saucepan, but it makes it harder to judge when the butter is ready.
Toast the Nuts: If you have a bit of extra time, make toasted walnuts or pecans! Spread whole pecans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Toast for 6-8 minutes, at 350°F. Chop after toasting.
Brown Butter: You’ll know the brown butter is done when it’s slightly foamy and has a deep golden brown color. This happens quickly in about 5-8 minutes so keep an eye on it!

Confidence Tip

This simple brown butter sauce is SO EASY to make, yet feels super fancy-pants! Serve it up to friends or family and impress them with your gourmet cooking skills!

STORAGE & REHEATING

Storage: It’s best to store leftover ravioli and sauce separately. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days. I like storing the sauce in a mason jar.

Reheating: To reheat the sauce, warm it slowly in a pan over medium heat until warm. The leftover sauce is great on top of any type of pasta!

Additions & Substitutions

ADDITIONS:

Mushrooms & Onions: While you are making the sauce, saute some mushrooms and onions until tender. Add them on top of your ravioli, along with the brown butter sauce.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Ravioli: You can also use pumpkin ravioli. It’s a bit less sweet than butternut squash ravioli.
Sage: If you don’t have fresh sage, thyme works well. Dried sage will work in a pinch!
Nuts: Pecans work well in this dish, but walnuts or pine nuts are also great.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What does this sauce for butternut squash ravioli taste like?

The best way to describe it, is like fall on a plate! This sage brown butter sauce tastes nutty (from the brown butter), a little earthy (from the fresh sage), with a hint of spice.

The red pepper flakes bring a hint of spice, without over-powering the sauce. This savory sauce is a perfect complement to the sweet butternut squash filling in the ravioli.

What are some good sides to serve with this butternut squash ravioli?

This is a very rich dish, so a green veggie like brussels sprouts or a simple green salad work well….along with some crusty bread for soaking up the extra brown butter sage sauce on your plate!

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Butternut Squash Ravoli on a white plate with a fork.

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I hope you love this Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!