Description
The Bear Spaghetti is a cozy, buttery pasta dish with a silky tomato-basil sauce, fresh garlic, and Parmesan. Inspired by The Bear, it’s comfort food made simple.
Ingredients
220g spaghetti
80ml olive oil
1 (400g) can chopped San Marzano tomatoes (or other high-quality Italian tomatoes)
½ large yellow onion
½ packet fresh basil leaves (or 12g basil leaves)
½ tsp red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
60g butter
Salt, to taste
Parmesan cheese, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-low. Add smashed garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, and basil. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to infuse, then remove from heat.
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
In a large pot, melt butter with a splash of oil. Place onion half cut-side down and cook 8 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Add canned tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon. Season with salt, cover, and simmer on low heat for 8 minutes.
Stir in basil-infused oil, adjust salt, and add reserved pasta water. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove onion halves.
Blend sauce with immersion blender until smooth. Toss cooked spaghetti in sauce until coated.
Serve with Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Use San Marzano tomatoes for the richest flavor.
Don’t skip the onion step—it adds depth to the sauce.
Leftovers store well in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or oil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner , Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg