Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter
A comforting pasta dish featuring a slow-simmered fresh tomato sauce blended with fragrant basil and finished with a garlic butter drizzle. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ripe tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, spaghetti for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 cups, chopped ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and 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 in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups chopped ripe tomatoes and 1 tsp salt to the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 15 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat.
- Step 5: In a small skillet, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and cook for 2 minutes until butter is golden and nutty, then remove from heat.
- Step 6: Toss the drained pasta with the tomato-basil sauce, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen.
- Step 7: Plate pasta and drizzle the garlic butter evenly over each serving. Sprinkle 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Slow-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 ripe tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-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 Slow-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.
Is Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta with Garlic Butter 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.
