Colorful Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple Italian pasta highlighting the fresh flavors of vine-ripened tomatoes and aromatic basil in a garlic butter sauce. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (12 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook 12 oz spaghetti for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften and release juices.
  4. Step 4: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the garlic butter and tomatoes. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine and let the sauce thicken slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with extra cheese if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Colorful Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Colorful Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Colorful Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Colorful Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Colorful Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes