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Kicking off tomato season a bit early with this 20 Minute Garlic Basil Brown Butter Pasta. Buttery, basily pasta with garlic and black pepper, served topped with fresh cherry tomatoes. It’s a garden fresh take on pasta, that’s ready in about 20 minutes, and uses mostly pantry staple ingredients. Ideal for any day of the week from now until fall!

You know those dishes you crave on the busiest/craziest/most stressful days? This is that dish, and it is perfection. Or as close to it as it can get. It’s also so delicious and so easy that it’s almost embarrassing. I wondered if I should really be sharing what’s essentiality “buttered” pasta. But the bottom line? This pasta is too good not to share with you all today.
This pasta is one of my go-to dinners when I have zero time and zero energy left to cook. It’s also 100% inspired by my mom, which makes me love it even more.
First, let me back up. I shared a version of this recipe on my Instagram stories a few weeks back and you guys seemed to go absolutely crazy for it. SO much so that I’m still getting questions about when I will be sharing the recipe here on HBH. This is not the exact recipe I shared on my stories, but it’s similar, and it’s just as good. So hoping you guys are as excited as I am about this pasta.

Growing up my mom’s specialty (other than her chocolate chip cookies of course) was her buttered pasta. What’s buttered pasta you ask?
Exactly as it sounds, butter + pasta, and most definitely a pinch of salt too. My mom’s go-to, and to this day one of her favorites. Though she now much prefers my version that you see here today, with plenty of fresh basil and cherry tomatoes.
This dish starts out very similar to a classic cacio e pepe, but in addition to black pepper, I also like to add a good amount of garlic. I know some of you are not garlic fans. If that’s you, just omit it. BUT for those of us who love garlic, this is the pasta for you. Aside from all the basil, the garlic is key here. It caramelizes in the butter and creates the most subtle garlic flavor that’s also the slightest bit sweet.
Absolutely mouthwatering when tossed with pasta, garden fresh basil, and plenty of black pepper. SIMPLE, but DELISH.
Now, you could stop right there and serve this pasta up as is. It’s great, and often times this is just how I like to do it…

But, cherry tomato season is upon us. I couldn’t help but top this buttery pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes and a touch of lemon. Again, not completely needed, but a very tasty addition if you have a garden full of tomatoes. Or just hit up your local market or farm market.
I know it’s a tinsy bit early for the garden tomatoes. But my market has been stocked with sweet as can be California cherry tomatoes for the last few weeks. So I pretty much always have some in my pantry these days. Too good to pass up, you know?
And that’s it. Takes maybe 15-20 minutes to make, fresh, buttery, hinted with garlic, so much basil flavor, and finished with sweet cherry tomatoes that burst in your mouth. 8 simple ingredients that when combined taste really, really, dang good.
And that’s about all you need to know. Dinner tonight = done!

If you make this 20 Minute Garlic Basil Brown Butter Pasta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Made it for dinner tonight – very good flavor and so easy to make.
Hey Roberta! I am so glad you enjoyed this pasta and thought it was flavorful! Thanks so much for trying it out! 🙂 xT
Another delicious pasta! Simple, quick and flavourful. I added the red pepper flakes to the butter and garlic at the beginning and added the tomatoes then as well so they burst up and reduced. Also used linguine instead, and served it with a lovely med-rare beef tenderloin. YUM!
Hey Allison! I’m so glad you loved this pasta! Thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great weekend! 🙂 xT
For my daughter and I, this is sheer delight!!!!!! Thanks!
Hi Sherry! Thanks so much for trying out this pasta! Sooo glad to hear you loved it! 🙂 xT
I just made your garlic basil pasta. I live alone and just need something tasty and simplr to make.
Just hit the spot witha glass of Rosè
Thank you
Hey Anne,
Fantastic! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
I made this dish last night using chickpea spaghetti pasta. I also added a cup of sliced mushrooms. After just few bites my husband remarked how much he was enjoying the dish. It was delicious! This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Hey Carolee,
Happy Tuesday!! Thanks for giving this recipe a try, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you!
step 4 is missing
This was simple and delicious. Thank you
Hey Amanda,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xT
Delicious! Thank you!
Hey Julie,
Happy Monday! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it! Xx
Wish you had a link to Pinterest so I can save your recipe
I found the link it is on the picture of the recipe. I was looking for the link
Hi there,
All of the links to Pinterest can be found in the photos:) I hope this helps! xT