Description
This Tomato Butter Pasta recipe is a simple, comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring al dente pasta coated in a rich, garlicky tomato and butter sauce. With minimal ingredients and easy steps, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor. The sauce is simmered from canned plum tomatoes, enhanced with garlic, butter, and olive oil, and finished with freshly grated Parmesan and basil for a fresh, savory touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 10.5 oz (300 g) spaghetti or pasta of choice
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus extra for finishing)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz (400 g) canned whole plum tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer tomatoes: Add the canned whole plum tomatoes along with their juices to the skillet. Use a spoon to break up the tomatoes into smaller pieces. Let the sauce simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Season sauce: Season the tomato sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. If the tomatoes are too acidic, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors. Continue simmering until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until you achieve a smooth, silky texture.
- Finish with butter: Stir in an extra knob of butter at the end for richness and creaminess, coating the pasta nutritionally and flavor-wise.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with freshly chopped basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water is crucial to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as penne, fusilli, or fettuccine.
- Optional sugar helps balance the acidity of the canned tomatoes but can be omitted if your tomatoes are naturally sweet.
- Fresh basil and Parmesan add a classic finishing touch but are optional based on dietary preferences.
- Use unsalted butter to better control the salt levels in the dish.
