Description

This Tomato Garlic Butter Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines the richness of butter with the fresh taste of cherry tomatoes and a hint of chili. Enhanced by soy and oyster sauces, this pasta is coated in a glossy, fragrant sauce and finished with parmesan, spring onions, and a drizzle of olive oil for an elevated, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce 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

Pasta

200g (7 oz) dried fettuccine, linguine or spaghetti OR 400g (14 oz) fresh pasta

Toppings

Finely grated parmesan cheese, to serve
1 tbsp finely sliced spring onions (scallions), to serve

Instructions

Prepare the sauce: Heat a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, butter, garlic, and chilli flakes and cook, stirring, for about a minute until fragrant, making sure the garlic softens but does not brown. Add the quartered cherry tomatoes and cook while stirring until the butter is just melted and the tomatoes soften slightly. Stir in the soy sauce and oyster sauce, and let the mixture simmer for a minute to allow the flavors to infuse. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente—follow packet instructions for dried pasta, or cook fresh pasta for 2-3 minutes. Once cooked, reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Combine pasta and sauce: Return the butter and tomato sauce to the heat. Add the drained pasta directly into the pan along with 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring continuously, for 3-4 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the sauce becomes glossy and thick, coating the pasta evenly.
Serve: Divide the pasta among serving plates. Top generously with finely grated parmesan cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkling of finely sliced spring onions and extra chilli flakes to taste.

Notes

Use fresh pasta for a tender bite, or dried pasta for a firmer texture.
Adjust the amount of chilli flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Reserve pasta water to help thicken and bind the sauce to the pasta perfectly.
Parmesan cheese adds a savory touch but can be omitted or substituted with a vegan cheese for dietary preferences.
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Keywords: tomato garlic butter pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, cherry tomato pasta, garlic chili pasta