Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Spaghetti
Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Spaghetti
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 1/2 cups olive oil, or as needed to submerge garlic
For the Garlic Butter Paste
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Tomato & Herb Infusion
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs, finely chopped (such as parsley, chives, or cilantro)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
For the Spaghetti
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup reserved pasta water, or as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the roasted garlic: In a small saucepan, combine the peeled garlic cloves and olive oil. Ensure the garlic is completely submerged. Heat over low to medium-low heat, allowing the garlic to slowly cook (fry) until it turns golden brown and very tender, about 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic; adjust heat as necessary. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the garlic cloves and transfer them to a small food processor or chopper. Reserve the garlic-infused olive oil for other uses or discard.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
Make the garlic butter paste: To the cooked garlic in the food processor, add the chunks of unsalted butter, salt, and black pepper. Blend until a smooth, creamy, and light-colored paste is formed. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Infuse the sauce base: Transfer the garlic butter paste to a medium mixing bowl. Add the tomato paste, finely chopped fresh herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are well combined, creating a vibrant orange, smooth, and herby sauce base.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212
- 5
Combine and finish the dish: Drain the spaghetti and immediately add it to the mixing bowl with the prepared sauce base. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously, using tongs, to coat the spaghetti evenly with the creamy sauce. Continue to toss, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed, until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and clings beautifully to the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Spaghetti
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 1/2 cups olive oil, or as needed to submerge garlic
For the Garlic Butter Paste
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Tomato & Herb Infusion
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs, finely chopped (such as parsley, chives, or cilantro)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
For the Spaghetti
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup reserved pasta water, or as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the roasted garlic: In a small saucepan, combine the peeled garlic cloves and olive oil. Ensure the garlic is completely submerged. Heat over low to medium-low heat, allowing the garlic to slowly cook (fry) until it turns golden brown and very tender, about 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic; adjust heat as necessary. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the garlic cloves and transfer them to a small food processor or chopper. Reserve the garlic-infused olive oil for other uses or discard.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
Make the garlic butter paste: To the cooked garlic in the food processor, add the chunks of unsalted butter, salt, and black pepper. Blend until a smooth, creamy, and light-colored paste is formed. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Infuse the sauce base: Transfer the garlic butter paste to a medium mixing bowl. Add the tomato paste, finely chopped fresh herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are well combined, creating a vibrant orange, smooth, and herby sauce base.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212 - 5
Combine and finish the dish: Drain the spaghetti and immediately add it to the mixing bowl with the prepared sauce base. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously, using tongs, to coat the spaghetti evenly with the creamy sauce. Continue to toss, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed, until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and clings beautifully to the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.