Description
Tomato Basil Pasta is a fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-make dish combining ripe tomatoes, aromatic basil, garlic, olive oil, and your favorite pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this light and healthy recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, delivering bright summer flavors that please the entire family.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Ingredients
- 4–5 ripe, juicy tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry Staples
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
Optional
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and dice the fresh tomatoes, chop the basil leaves, and mince the garlic. This groundwork brings all the fresh flavors together during cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté the Garlic and Tomatoes: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the diced tomatoes and cook until softened and juicy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet with the tomato mixture. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it adhere to the noodles.
- Add Basil and Season: Remove the pan from heat, fold in the fresh basil leaves, and season generously with salt and pepper. Optionally, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor intensity.
- Add basil at the end to preserve its vibrant color and aroma.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use quality extra virgin olive oil for richness and depth.
- Salt pasta water well to season pasta from within.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Tomato Basil Pasta, fresh pasta recipe, quick pasta dish, healthy pasta, Italian dinner, easy weeknight meals, vegetarian pasta