Description
Fresh, flavorful, and ready in under 20 minutes, this Tomato Basil Pasta brings together sweet tomatoes, garlic, and basil for a comforting and crave-worthy meal made from simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained (or 3 cups fresh cherry tomatoes)
- 1–2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½–1 cup reserved pasta water
- 16 ounces thin spaghetti or angel hair
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic with salt and pepper. Cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Simmer for 5–8 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add ½ cup reserved pasta water to the sauce.
- Stir in cooked pasta, chopped basil, and Parmesan cheese. Toss until noodles are well coated and sauce is silky.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
Use high-quality tomatoes and don’t skip the balsamic for depth. Add shrimp or grilled chicken for protein, or a splash of cream for richness. Great with garlic bread or a fresh side salad.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: tomato basil pasta, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, weeknight dinner