Dinner

Tomato Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe

BySimon Carel February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Introduction

This Tomato Garlic Butter Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines the richness of butter and garlic with juicy cherry tomatoes and a hint of spice. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but comes together in no time.

A beige shallow bowl holds a generous serving of fettuccine pasta mixed with halved red cherry tomatoes and scattered thin green herb leaves, all coated in a light oil-based sauce. The pasta strands are twisted in layers, with the tomatoes adding bright red spots throughout. Finely shredded white cheese is sprinkled on top, partly melting into the warm pasta. At the bottom left, a fork with a wooden handle is placed inside the bowl, partly twirling some pasta. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
75g (2.5 oz) unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp chilli flakes, plus extra to serve
200g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
200g (7 oz) dried fettuccine, linguine or spaghetti or 400g (14 oz) fresh pasta
Finely grated parmesan cheese, to serve
1 tbsp finely sliced spring onions (scallions), to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, butter, garlic and chilli flakes and cook, stirring, for a minute until fragrant. Add the quartered cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring, until the butter is just melted and the tomatoes have softened slightly. Be careful to soften the garlic without letting it brown. Next, stir in the soy sauce and oyster sauce, then simmer for one minute to blend the flavors. Remove from heat and set aside until the pasta is ready.
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente—follow the package instructions for dried pasta, or cook fresh pasta for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: When the pasta is al dente, reserve one cup of the cooking water. Return the butter and tomato sauce to the heat, add the drained pasta to the pan along with a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta with a glossy finish.
Step 4: Divide the pasta into serving plates. Top generously with parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and sprinkle with spring onions and extra chilli flakes to taste.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh pasta if possible for a tender texture and shorter cooking time.
Add a handful of fresh basil or parsley for a burst of herbal freshness.
For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of cream or a knob of extra butter at the end.
If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the chilli flakes.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, stirring until warmed through. Avoid microwaving directly to keep the texture intact.

How to Serve

A white plate filled with a serving of tagliatelle pasta mixed with small pieces of cherry tomatoes, sprinkled with finely grated cheese and fresh green herbs. The long, flat pasta noodles are golden yellow and coated lightly with oil or sauce, making them shiny and soft-looking. The tomatoes add hints of red scattered evenly throughout the pasta. A fork with a wooden handle is twirled in the pasta on the right side of the plate. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a blurred glass and a block of cheese in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, this recipe works well with fettuccine, linguine, spaghetti, or fresh pasta. Choose your favorite shape to suit your preference.

What if I don’t have oyster sauce?

If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can substitute with a mixture of soy sauce and a little honey or brown sugar for sweetness, but the flavor will be slightly different.