Description
A simple and flavorful Tomato & Butter Pasta recipe featuring a rich garlic-anchovy-tomato sauce enriched with butter and fresh basil, topped with parmesan cheese. Ready in 20 minutes, this dish balances savory anchovies with sweet cherry tomatoes for a deliciously quick meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 4 tbsp Westgold butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 3 anchovy fillets
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta & Garnish
- 10 oz pasta
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions for al dente, but drain it 1-2 minutes before the suggested time. Reserve up to ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Fry garlic and anchovy: In a large frypan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Once the butter is foaming, add the garlic and anchovy fillets. Stir continuously for 2 minutes until the garlic softens and anchovies break down, infusing the sauce with flavor without burning the garlic.
- Cook tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until they break down, creating a thick, jammy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add pasta: Reduce the heat to low. Add the drained pasta to the sauce along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes silky and glossy. Turn off the heat and stir in the torn basil leaves.
- Finish and serve: Plate the pasta and sprinkle generously with grated parmesan cheese and extra basil leaves. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency, making it silky and cohesive.
- Cooking the pasta slightly under done ensures it finishes cooking in the sauce, maintaining ideal texture.
- Anchovies add a depth of umami without a strong fishy taste; adjust quantity based on preference.
- Use fresh basil for the best aroma and flavor enhancement.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy optimal texture and temperature.
