Aperol-Infused Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A vibrant Italian pasta dish where Aperol's bittersweet citrus notes elevate a simple tomato sauce, finished with fresh basil and Parmesan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs pasta, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz diced tomatoes and 1.5 tbsp Aperol, simmering for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the sauce, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Toss the drained spaghetti with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce clings evenly to the pasta.