Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
A simple and flavorful Tomato Basil Pasta recipe featuring a savory tomato sauce enhanced with fresh basil and parmesan cheese, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomato, drained
- 1–2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ – 1 cup pasta water
For the Pasta
- 16 ounces thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- ½ cup basil, chopped
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ – 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare the sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Simmer the tomatoes: Add the drained diced tomatoes and 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to the pan. Stir and cook the mixture until it slightly reduces and thickens, approximately 5-8 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the tomato sauce to loosen it. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the pan with the tomato sauce. Toss in the chopped basil and grated parmesan cheese, stirring well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Final seasoning and serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt or more fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Use fresh basil for a brighter, fresher flavor.
- Drain canned tomatoes well to avoid a watery sauce.
- You can substitute parmesan cheese with vegan cheese for a dairy-free option.
- This recipe is best served immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Tomato Basil Pasta, Easy Pasta Recipe, Italian Pasta, Vegetarian Pasta, Quick Dinner
Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/tomato-basil-pasta-recipe/
