If you’re craving something cozy, rich, and utterly irresistible, this Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta is about to become your new weeknight obsession. Juicy tomatoes, vibrant spinach, and plenty of sweet, fragrant garlic swirl through silky pasta, all enrobed in a buttery sauce with a touch of savory Italian sausage. Simple ingredients, just 30 minutes, and all the flavor you could ask for—let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Satisfying: You’ll have this fresh, flavorful dish on the table in about 30 minutes—hello, speedy dinner win!
- A Symphony of Flavors: The golden garlic butter, juicy burst tomatoes, and peppery spinach come together for irresistible layers of taste in every bite.
- Easily Customizable: Whether you’re vegetarian, craving extra veggies, or looking to make it heartier, this pasta bends to your cravings.
- Utter Comfort: That dreamy blend of tender pasta and creamy cheese delivers serious cozy vibes—no special occasion needed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta has a magical way of making the simplest ingredients taste restaurant-worthy. Each addition amplifies the savory, fresh, and comforting notes, with nothing wasted or extra. Here’s why every ingredient matters:
- Pasta (Spaghetti or Linguine): The classic base—long noodles are best for twirling and capturing every drop of buttery sauce.
- Olive Oil: Adds fruitiness and keeps the butter from browning too quickly, helping to carry the flavors.
- Pre-cooked Italian Sausage (Chicken works!): Savory sausage gives a pop of spice and hearty texture (totally optional if you prefer a vegetarian version).
- Butter: Flavors everything with richness and creates the irresistible silken sauce.
- Garlic (minced): The star! Five cloves infuse the entire dish with aromatic warmth—don’t skimp.
- Grape or Cherry Tomatoes: Their sweetness intensifies as they burst and cook down into a juicy “almost sauce.”
- Fresh Spinach: Adds color, a touch of earthiness, and extra nutrition without overpowering other flavors.
- Italian Seasoning: A pinch brings balance, echoing the herbs in the sausage and lifting the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese (grated): Melts into the pasta, binding everything together with a salty, nutty kick.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste, because seasoning is everything when it comes to getting the most out of every ingredient.
Variations
This Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta is basically a blank canvas for your cravings. It welcomes tweaks, swaps, and a splash of creativity—so you never have to make it the same way twice. Here are a few ways to make it truly your own:
- Go Vegetarian: Skip the sausage entirely and enjoy all the classic flavor with extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Vegan-Friendly: Use plant-based butter and your favorite vegan cheese, or sprinkle on nutritional yeast for savory depth.
- Extra Protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or even white beans in place of sausage for a heartier meal.
- Spicy Kick: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for irresistible heat.
- Try Different Greens: Swap spinach for kale, arugula, or chard to mix up flavor and texture.
How to Make Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your spaghetti or linguine until just al dente—this helps the noodles soak up every drop of that luscious sauce! Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining; it’s your secret sauce thickener.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic, Tomatoes, and Sausage
While the pasta cooks, heat butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the minced garlic, halved tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, letting all those fragrances pop (but don’t let the garlic brown). Stir in the sausage slices and cook until the tomatoes soften and burst, juicing up the pan with all their sweet flavor.
Step 3: Wilt the Spinach
Toss the fresh spinach right into the skillet. It will look like a mountain at first, but just keep stirring—it’ll wilt quickly and shrink down, swirling through the buttery tomato goodness.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Add a splash (about 1/4 cup) of reserved hot pasta water to the skillet, then drain the noodles. Toss the hot pasta in the pan along with Parmesan, swirling to coat every strand. This is where the magic happens—the sauce clings, the cheese melts, and every bite is loaded with flavor. Taste and season with salt and pepper to finish.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta
- “Save Your Pasta Water:” That splash of starchy water melds the sauce and cheese into one creamy, clingy dream—don’t skip this step!
- “Go Low and Slow with Garlic:” Let the garlic gently sizzle, not burn—patience delivers sweet, mellow flavor instead of bitterness.
- “Burst Tomatoes for Sweetness:” Give the tomatoes time to soften and pop in the pan—this creates those lovely little pockets of saucy sweetness.
- “Finishing Touch Cheese:” Stir some Parmesan in, but always keep more for showering over the top just before serving for the best salty finish.
How to Serve Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta
Garnishes
A final flourish always takes Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta from good to unforgettable. Scatter extra shaved Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper for classic Italian charm or a bright drizzle of good olive oil for silkiness. A pinch of red pepper flakes can wake up the entire bowl if you like a little heat!
Side Dishes
This pasta’s buttery, tomato-rich flavors play beautifully with a crisp arugula salad topped with lemon and shaved cheese, or a side of garlicky roasted broccoli. To really soak up every drop of sauce, don’t forget a slice (or two) of crusty bread.
Creative Ways to Present
For an eye-catching weeknight dinner or date night in, twirl the pasta into neat little nests using tongs, then top with a sprinkle of bright microgreens or a generous layer of golden breadcrumbs. Or serve family-style in a huge platter so everyone can dig in and help themselves—“pass the pasta” energy is always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta keeps surprisingly well! Let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. It’s best eaten within 2–3 days for peak taste and texture—perfect for lunch the next day.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal for this pasta, as the spinach and tomatoes can get a little watery and mushy once thawed. But if you want to freeze it anyway, cool everything quickly, seal well, and freeze for up to one month. For best results, reheat from frozen in a pan with a splash of water or extra butter, and enjoy quickly after thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, add a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of pasta water to a skillet and heat the pasta gently over medium, stirring until warmed through and creamy again. The microwave works in a pinch—just cover and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. Top with fresh cheese and maybe a few halved tomatoes for brightness.
FAQs
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Can I make Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta without sausage?
Absolutely! The pasta is delicious all on its own. Just skip the sausage and load up on extra veggies, or leave it as-is for a super flavorful vegetarian main course.
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What’s the best substitute for cherry or grape tomatoes?
If you don’t have cherry or grape tomatoes, use any ripe, juicy tomato—Roma, plum, or vine-ripened all work. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces before sautéing for the same bursty, sweet results.
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Can I use another type of pasta?
Yes, feel free to use whatever pasta you love or have on hand! Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, or even penne and rotini will all pick up the garlicky butter sauce beautifully.
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Is Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta spicy?
Not as written, but you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the garlic for just the right amount of heat—completely customizable for your taste.
Final Thoughts
There’s something delightfully comforting about a heaping bowl of Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta—simple ingredients, lush flavors, and endless possibilities make every bite special. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon and let it become a delicious, happy memory in your weeknight dinner rotation!
Print
Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and simple recipe for Garlic Butter & Tomato Pasta that is bursting with flavor. This pasta dish is quick to make and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 8 ounces pasta spaghetti or linquine
Sauce:
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 2 links pre-cooked Italian sausage (chicken Italian sausage recommended)
- 3 TBSP butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach leaves
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Make the sauce: Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Cook until tomatoes soften. Mix in spinach until wilted.
- Combine: Add ¼ cup of hot pasta water to the skillet. Drain pasta and mix into the skillet with Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
- This meal can be made vegetarian by omitting the sausage links.
- Regular tomatoes can be used instead of cherry/grape tomatoes.
- You can use fresh pasta from the refrigerated section for a quicker meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8.25g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3.5g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 59mg
