Authentic Basil-Infused Tomato Pasta

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 true Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and just three essential ingredients for perfect simplicity. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 520 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, sautéing for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 28 ounces San Marzano tomatoes (crushed by hand) to the skillet, stirring to break them up. Simmer uncovered for 12 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce clings to every strand, adding more pasta water if too dry.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Serve immediately with additional basil for garnish.

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