Tomato Butter Pasta with Fresh Basil and Parmesan Recipe
Tomato Butter Pasta is a creamy, comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring freshly grated tomatoes simmered in butter infused with garlic and chili flakes. Tossed with spaghetti, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese, this simple yet flavorful meal comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
- 9oz / 250g Spaghetti (or other long cut pasta)
- 1lb / 500g Tomatoes (see notes)
- 4 tbsp / 2oz / 60g Butter
- 1/3 cup / 1oz / 30g Freshly grated Parmesan
Flavouring Ingredients
- 2 cloves Garlic, finely diced
- Handful of Fresh Basil, finely diced
- Pinch of Chilli Flakes (to taste)
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Grate the Tomatoes: Use a box grater to grate each tomato into a bowl, discarding the skin once you reach it to obtain fresh tomato pulp for the sauce.
- Melt Butter and Sauté Aromatics: In a large pan over medium heat, melt 3.5 tablespoons of butter, reserving the remaining 0.5 tablespoon for later. Add the finely diced garlic and chili flakes, frying for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer the Tomato Sauce: Pour the grated tomatoes into the pan, season generously with salt and pepper, and stir well. Keep the sauce on a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes until it thickens and emulsifies with the butter.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in heavily salted boiling water until al dente as per package instructions.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Using tongs, transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the pan with the sauce. Toss well to combine. Add the chopped basil and freshly grated Parmesan. If the sauce is too thick, add some starchy pasta water to thin it out, continuing to simmer and toss until the sauce clings perfectly to the pasta.
- Finish with Butter and Seasoning: Add the final 0.5 tablespoon of butter and toss until melted. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes such as Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes for the best sauce.
- Discarding the tomato skins after grating helps ensure a smooth sauce texture.
- Salt the pasta water heavily to flavor the pasta well during cooking.
- Add pasta water gradually to control sauce consistency and achieve the perfect emulsion.
- Adjust chili flakes quantity to suit preferred spice tolerance.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure Parmesan used is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with a suitable cheese.
