The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor is exactly the kind of dish that turns an ordinary evening into something utterly irresistible. Each forkful boasts buttery richness, sweetness from San Marzano tomatoes, and the gentle zap of garlic and pepper, wrapping up all the comfort of a classic Italian-inspired sauce without a hint of fuss. If you’re after a bowl of pasta that pleases everyone and makes you look like a kitchen superstar (no matter how much time you actually have), this is your new go-to recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients to craft The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor. Every element serves a purpose, building layers of depth and color. Investing in just one gorgeous can of tomatoes and real butter really does make all the difference here!
- Pasta (12 ounces): Choose your favorite shape, like spaghetti or rigatoni; both soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes (1 28-ounce can): These prized tomatoes bring sweetness, low acidity, and a naturally thick texture.
- Unsalted butter (5 tablespoons): The key to a silky, luxurious sauce that dances across your tongue.
- Small onion (peeled and halved): Adds gentle sweetness and depth, then is removed for the perfect texture.
- Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Gives fragrant warmth—don’t skip this for maximum flavor payoff!
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brings all the flavors into focus; season to taste as you go.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough for a little background heat.
- Red pepper flakes (optional, 1/4 teaspoon): For those who love a subtle kick, this is a simple way to wake up your sauce.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup, plus more for serving): Melts into the sauce for extra richness and a nutty finish.
- Chopped fresh basil (optional): Flicks of green basil add freshness and color on top—highly recommended!
How to Make The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor
Step 1: Build the Tomato Butter Sauce
Set a large saucepan over medium heat and combine the can of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes (with their juice), butter, halved onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a hint of spice. Bring everything to a gentle simmer. As the sauce heats, use a spoon to break up the tomatoes—this will help them melt into the buttery base and release their incredible flavor.
Step 2: Simmer Until Velvety
Allow the sauce to bubble away, uncovered, for about 30 to 40 minutes. Stir every so often as the kitchen fills with the most mouthwatering aroma. The tomatoes should break down completely, the butter will emulsify into the sauce, and the whole thing thickens into a gorgeous, glossy texture. When the timer’s up, remove and discard the onion. You can use an immersion blender if you want a super-smooth sauce or leave it delightfully rustic with just a bit of tomato texture.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
While the sauce simmers, bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook your chosen pasta according to the package’s directions until perfectly al dente. Before you drain it, scoop out half a cup of the starchy water—this liquid gold can help you achieve the silkiest pasta sauce you’ve ever had! Then drain the pasta and get ready for the magic.
Step 4: Marry Pasta and Sauce
Add the hot, drained pasta straight into the saucepan of tomato butter magic. Sprinkle in the Parmesan, then toss or stir vigorously until every strand or tube is generously coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if you want to loosen the sauce a bit and help it cling beautifully to the noodles. Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and prepare to swoon!
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Dish the pasta into warm bowls and top each with more freshly grated Parmesan and—if you’re feeling fancy—a flurry of chopped fresh basil. The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor is at its absolute best when served piping hot and creamy.
How to Serve The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor
Garnishes
A finishing flourish truly amps up the wow factor. I love to shower each bowl with a generous handful of extra Parmesan and a scattering of fresh basil. If you want a burst of color, try a few twists of black pepper or a drizzle of really good olive oil right before serving for shimmer and shine.
Side Dishes
Pairing is effortless: Serve The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor alongside garlic bread for dunking into the sauce, a crisp green salad with a bright vinaigrette, or even some roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. Each side highlights the comforting richness of the main dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party or cozy family gathering, try twirling the pasta into little nests on plates or shallow bowls. Top with a single sprig of basil or a wedge of Parmesan for extra panache. Layering in oven-proof dishes and finishing under a broiler with more cheese brings a delicious baked pasta effect, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the pasta cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will taste just as dreamy for up to 3 days. The sauce keeps especially well, deepening in flavor as the days pass.
Freezing
If you want to make the sauce ahead, it freezes beautifully all on its own. Pour any extra tomato butter sauce into a freezer-safe bag or container (skip the cheese and basil until reheating). It will keep for up to 2 months—perfect for speedy weeknight dinners!
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. Microwave also works great; just cover the bowl and heat in short bursts, stirring between each. Add fresh Parmesan and a touch of basil right before eating to recapture that just-made taste.
FAQs
Can I use crushed tomatoes instead of whole?
Absolutely! While whole San Marzano tomatoes have an unbeatable sweetness and texture, crushed tomatoes streamline the process and blend easily. Just be sure to use high-quality tomatoes for the best results.
What kind of pasta works best?
The beauty of The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor is its versatility: spaghetti, rigatoni, penne, or even short shapes like fusilli all pair beautifully with this lush sauce. Choose your personal favorite!
Can I add protein to this dish?
Yes! Grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or even white beans are fantastic additions. Just add them when you toss the pasta with the sauce so everything gets coated in that buttery tomato goodness.
Is there a dairy-free version?
To keep it dairy-free, swap the butter for olive oil (though you’ll lose some of the signature richness) and use a vegan Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor. The sauce will still be deliciously silky.
Why do you remove the onion?
Simmering the onion whole infuses the sauce with sweetness and depth, but removing it at the end keeps the texture super smooth and lets the tomato and butter shine front and center—just like in the classic Italian technique.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you taste The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor, it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. It’s everything you want from a pasta night: simple, comforting, and downright delicious. If you give this a try, let yourself enjoy that second helping—you deserve it!
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The Best Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe for Rich, Velvety Flavor Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and velvety flavors of this tomato butter pasta recipe. The combination of San Marzano tomatoes, butter, and Parmesan cheese creates a luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta for a truly satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (such as spaghetti or rigatoni)
Tomato Butter Sauce:
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion (peeled and halved)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- Chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomato Butter Sauce: In a large saucepan, combine canned tomatoes, butter, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 30–40 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve pasta water, then drain.
- Combine and Serve: Toss drained pasta with tomato butter sauce, Parmesan, and pasta water. Serve hot with additional Parmesan and basil.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a splash of heavy cream.
- The sauce pairs well with any pasta shape and works great for tomato soup or pizza bases.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
