Delicious Tomato Butter Pasta
A comforting pasta dish that combines vibrant tomatoes, rich butter, and aromatic garlic, topped with fresh basil and a hint of chili flakes.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
- 3–4 pieces ripe plum tomatoes, grated Opt for ripe, in-season tomatoes for best flavor.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes Adjust to taste.
- 6 oz spaghetti or other long pasta Any long pasta works well.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Add at the end for freshness.
- to taste freshly grated Parmesan cheese For serving.
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the long pasta, like spaghetti, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Preparing the Sauce
- Grate the ripe tomatoes into a bowl, aiming for about 1 to 1¼ cups of fresh tomato pulp.
- In a spacious skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.
- Once melted, add the minced garlic and red chili flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the grated tomatoes, salt, and black pepper, and let simmer for 7 to 10 minutes.
- Reserve about half a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the simmering tomato sauce, tossing well.
- If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Cook together for an additional 1 to 2 minutes and fold in the chopped fresh basil.
Serving
- Plate the pasta in warm plates and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper.
- Offer extra chili flakes and fresh basil leaves as garnish.
Notes
For added nutrition, consider including sautéed spinach or zucchini. To store leftovers, allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.