Mid-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter
Al dente pasta enveloped in a gently simmered fresh tomato and basil sauce, enriched with garlic butter for a simple yet elegant Italian dinner. This italian-inspired middle eastern ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, ripe tomatoes, diced, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- 4 cups ripe tomatoes, diced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add 12 oz spaghetti. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups diced ripe tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the tomato sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook together for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta beautifully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mid-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Mid-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter?
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 pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mid-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter?
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 Mid-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter 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.
What goes well with Mid-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter?
Italian middle eastern like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the Middle Eastern twist! Made for my kids and they asked for seconds.
- ★★★★★
A great weeknight meal. The basil made it fresh and aromatic.
- ★★★★★
Quick and delicious. The garlic butter really tied it all together.
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