Healthy Pasta Recipes

Healthy Pasta Recipes with Tomato Butter Twist

I’ve always had a soft spot for pasta nights. There’s something comforting about a big pot of noodles waiting to be tossed in a sauce that’s simple, but somehow feels like a hug in a bowl. This tomato butter pasta falls right into that category. It checks the box for Healthy Pasta Recipes, while still keeping the flavor dial turned up high. The sauce is silky, thanks to butter, but it carries the brightness of ripe tomatoes in every bite. It’s the kind of buttered pasta recipe you throw together when your fridge looks empty, but you still want something worthy of calling dinner. Quick enough for weeknights, yet elegant enough that I’ve served it to friends who swore I spent hours over the stove. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. If you love healthy recipes pasta, or you’re just curious about tomato pasta recipes that don’t feel heavy, this one might become your new favorite. It’s simple cooking at its best—easy healthy pasta recipes that taste like comfort food. If you’ve been scrolling food recipes pasta boards or searching for recipes healthy pasta options, this dish hits all the marks without overthinking it. And hey, it only dirties one pot. Win-win.

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Table of Contents

  • 1) Key Takeaways
  • 2) Easy Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe
  • 3) Ingredients for Tomato Butter Pasta
  • 4) How to Make Tomato Butter Pasta
  • 5) Tips for Making Tomato Butter Pasta
  • 6) Making Tomato Butter Pasta Ahead of Time
  • 7) Storing Leftover Tomato Butter Pasta
  • 8) Try these Main Course next!
  • 9) Tomato Butter Pasta
  • 10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

  • This tomato butter pasta delivers flavor and comfort without heavy effort.
  • You only need simple ingredients, but the dish feels fancy enough to serve guests.
  • The recipe works with fresh or canned tomatoes, making it flexible.
  • It belongs to the group of Healthy Pasta Recipes, perfect for weeknights.

2) Easy Tomato Butter Pasta Recipe

I’ve got a confession. Pasta is my safe space. Whenever I feel stuck on what to cook, I lean on recipes like this one. Tomato butter pasta has that sweet spot where minimal effort meets big payoff. It’s proof that you don’t need a packed pantry to make something worthy of a seat at the table. Two mentions of Healthy Pasta Recipes right here, because that’s what it is, even with the butter.

On nights when I don’t want a long cooking session, I grab spaghetti, a handful of cherry tomatoes, and a small stick of butter. The results never let me down. The tomatoes break down, the butter melts into them, and the garlic makes it sing. This is the kind of food that satisfies you without leaving you heavy.

Some people search for healthy recipes pasta and land on endless lists. I’d rather point them straight to this. It’s one pot, it’s forgiving, and it makes me feel like I pulled a rabbit out of my hat, even if dinner was scraped together in thirty minutes.

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3) Ingredients for Tomato Butter Pasta

Pasta: I usually go with spaghetti or linguine. Both catch the sauce well. If you’ve only got penne or fusilli, use those. Pasta doesn’t judge.

Butter: This is where the magic happens. It gives that silky richness. Three tablespoons are enough to tie it all together without overwhelming the tomatoes.

Cherry Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, they burst into the skillet and release sweet flavor. Canned works in a pinch, and nobody will complain.

Garlic: Three cloves, minced. It perfumes the sauce and gives a kick that balances the butter.

Red Pepper Flakes: Totally optional. I like a pinch for heat, but you can skip it.

Salt and Pepper: Every recipe lives or dies by seasoning. Don’t skip this step.

Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle on top adds nuttiness. It’s the quiet hero of this dish.

Fresh Basil: A few leaves for garnish. It adds color and freshness to finish the plate.

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4) How to Make Tomato Butter Pasta

Step 1. Boil salted water in a big pot. Cook the pasta until al dente. Save a half cup of pasta water before draining. That water is liquid gold.

Step 2. While the pasta cooks, heat butter in a skillet. Toss in garlic and red pepper flakes. Let them sizzle for a minute until your kitchen smells amazing.

Step 3. Add cherry tomatoes. Let them soften and break down, stirring now and then. Season with salt and pepper as they cook.

Step 4. Drop the drained pasta into the skillet. Toss everything until the noodles are coated in that buttery tomato sauce. Add a splash of pasta water if it feels dry.

Step 5. Finish with Parmesan cheese and basil leaves. That’s it. A simple, comforting plate ready in less time than it takes to scroll food recipes pasta boards online.

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5) Tips for Making Tomato Butter Pasta

First tip, don’t overcook the pasta. Al dente makes the whole thing work. Mushy noodles don’t hold sauce well.

Second, save that pasta water. It’s starchy and salty, which helps loosen and thicken the sauce at the same time. I’ve forgotten once or twice, and the dish never felt the same.

Third, don’t skip Parmesan. Even a small dusting adds a nutty layer that balances the butter. It transforms the dish from simple to memorable. Tomato pasta recipes live for details like this.

6) Making Tomato Butter Pasta Ahead of Time

Pasta reheats, but it’s never quite the same as fresh. That said, this recipe does okay if you need to prep it early. Cook the pasta slightly under al dente so it doesn’t go soft when you warm it later.

I like to store the sauce and pasta separately when I plan ahead. Toss them together only when it’s time to eat. That way the noodles don’t soak up all the sauce in the fridge.

If you’re planning a dinner where timing matters, this method saves you. It’s one of those easy healthy pasta recipes that’s forgiving enough to wait in the wings until you’re ready to shine.

7) Storing Leftover Tomato Butter Pasta

Leftovers go into an airtight container. The fridge keeps them safe for up to three days.

When reheating, add a spoonful of water or a dab of butter. It revives the sauce and keeps the noodles from sticking together.

I’ve even eaten it cold straight from the fridge on lazy afternoons. Don’t judge me. Recipes healthy pasta don’t always need heating. Sometimes cold pasta is its own treat.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Tomato Butter Pasta

Healthy Pasta Recipes with Tomato Butter Twist

I’ve always had a soft spot for pasta nights. There’s something comforting about a big pot of noodles waiting to be tossed in a sauce that’s simple, but somehow feels like a hug in a bowl. This tomato butter pasta falls right into that category. It checks the box for Healthy Pasta Recipes, while still keeping the flavor dial turned up high. The sauce is silky, thanks to butter, but it carries the brightness of ripe tomatoes in every bite. It’s the kind of buttered pasta recipe you throw together when your fridge looks empty, but you still want something worthy of calling dinner. Quick enough for weeknights, yet elegant enough that I’ve served it to friends who swore I spent hours over the stove. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. If you love healthy recipes pasta, or you’re just curious about tomato pasta recipes that don’t feel heavy, this one might become your new favorite. It’s simple cooking at its best—easy healthy pasta recipes that taste like comfort food. If you’ve been scrolling food recipes pasta boards or searching for recipes healthy pasta options, this dish hits all the marks without overthinking it. And hey, it only dirties one pot. Win-win.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: buttered pasta recipe, easy healthy pasta recipes, food recipes pasta, Healthy Pasta Recipes, healthy recipes pasta, recipes healthy pasta, tomato pasta recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Nancy

Ingredients

  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
  2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the tomato butter sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.
  5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.

10) Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl, Calories: 420, Sugar: 6 g, Sodium: 340 mg, Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 58 g, Fiber: 4 g, Protein: 13 g, Cholesterol: 25 mg

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