Description
This Garlic-Tomato Basil Butter Pasta is a luxurious yet simple dish featuring slow-roasted garlic blended into a rich tomato basil butter, tossed with spaghetti for the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Garlic-Tomato Basil Butter:
- 2 whole garlic bulbs (peeled)
- 1/2 cup olive oil (just enough to cover the cloves)
- 1/2 cup softened vegan butter (or regular)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp grated vegan parmesan (or regular)
- Small handful fresh basil, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the Pasta:
- 400 g spaghetti (or any pasta you like)
- 1 cup pasta’s cooking water
- Extra parmesan, basil and toasted breadcrumbs for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Slow-roast the garlic: Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small saucepan and pour enough olive oil to submerge them (about ½ cup). Cook over low heat for 20 minutes, swirling occasionally, until soft and pale golden. Let cool slightly.
- Make the compound butter: Blend the roasted garlic with softened butter, ½ tsp salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until smooth. Stir in tomato paste, parmesan, and chopped basil. Adjust seasoning, cover, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes until firm.
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti until one minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Finish the dish: Return the pasta to the pot over low heat. Add 4 tbsp of the chilled garlic-tomato basil butter and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss quickly until the butter melts and forms a glossy sauce, adding more water as needed.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among bowls and top with extra parmesan, fresh basil, and toasted breadcrumbs if desired.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and vegan parmesan.
- Adjust butter quantity to your taste for a lighter or richer sauce.
- Leftover flavored butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week or frozen for later use.
- Try using different pasta shapes like fettuccine or linguine for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg