Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta
Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
For the Creamy Garlic Paste
- 8 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 cup toasted breadcrumbs
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a small pot or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the peeled garlic cloves and fry gently for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and very soft. Be careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the garlic is frying, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212
- 3
Once the garlic is fried, carefully remove the garlic cloves from the pot using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a food processor. Discard the olive oil or save for another use. Add the chunks of unsalted butter, salt, and black pepper to the food processor with the garlic.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Blend the ingredients in the food processor until a smooth, creamy, and light-colored paste forms. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Spoon the creamy garlic-butter paste into a medium mixing bowl. Add the chopped fresh basil, tomato paste, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly by hand with a spatula or spoon until all ingredients are uniformly combined into an orange-pink, creamy sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add a large spoonful (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) of the prepared creamy tomato garlic sauce to a large pan or skillet. Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the pan. Toss the spaghetti with the sauce until all the noodles are evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with additional chopped fresh parsley, red chili flakes, and toasted breadcrumbs. You can also offer extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
For the Creamy Garlic Paste
- 8 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 cup toasted breadcrumbs
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a small pot or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the peeled garlic cloves and fry gently for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and very soft. Be careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the garlic is frying, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212 - 3
Once the garlic is fried, carefully remove the garlic cloves from the pot using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a food processor. Discard the olive oil or save for another use. Add the chunks of unsalted butter, salt, and black pepper to the food processor with the garlic.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Blend the ingredients in the food processor until a smooth, creamy, and light-colored paste forms. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Spoon the creamy garlic-butter paste into a medium mixing bowl. Add the chopped fresh basil, tomato paste, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly by hand with a spatula or spoon until all ingredients are uniformly combined into an orange-pink, creamy sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add a large spoonful (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) of the prepared creamy tomato garlic sauce to a large pan or skillet. Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the pan. Toss the spaghetti with the sauce until all the noodles are evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with additional chopped fresh parsley, red chili flakes, and toasted breadcrumbs. You can also offer extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side.