Turmeric-Butter Pasta With Tomatoes Recipe
This vibrant Turmeric-Butter Pasta with Tomatoes is a quick and flavorful weeknight dish featuring tender pasta tossed in a fragrant turmeric-infused butter sauce with juicy tomatoes. The addition of garlic and optional crumbled feta adds aromatic depth and creamy richness, making for a comforting yet bright plate perfect for any pasta lover.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
- Salt, for boiling water
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce
- 10 ounces small tomatoes (cherry or Sungold), halved or quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
Optional Topping
- Crumbled feta cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare Tomatoes and Garlic: While the pasta cooks, slice the tomatoes into halves or quarters for smaller varieties. Finely chop or grate the garlic cloves to release maximum flavor.
- Make the Turmeric-Butter Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Once bubbling, add the garlic and ground turmeric, stirring continuously to sizzle and bloom the spices until fragrant, about 10 to 30 seconds. Then add the tomatoes, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook while stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften and begin to break down into the butter sauce, around 3 to 5 minutes.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: When the pasta is cooked and drained, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and melt almost completely. Add the cooked pasta and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the sauce, adding more pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency. Turn off the heat once the sauce has thickened slightly and the pasta is well coated.
- Serve and Garnish: Divide the pasta among serving plates, topping with extra freshly ground black pepper and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the warm, silky flavors.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute linguine or another long pasta if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of turmeric to your taste; it provides an earthy warmth and vibrant color but can be overpowering if overused.
- Reserve the pasta water carefully; it helps emulsify the sauce for a silky texture.
- Feta is optional but adds a delightful creamy and tangy contrast.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: turmeric butter pasta, tomato pasta, easy weeknight pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, fettuccine with turmeric, garlic butter pasta, simple pasta dinner
