Authentic Garlic Tomato Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-29 · Updated 2026-03-29

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 pasta dish with a rich tomato sauce, fragrant garlic, and fresh basil for an authentic Italian flavor. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves (minced) garlic
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
1/2 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

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.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
Step 3: Add 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Toss cooked pasta with the tomato sauce, adding 1/2 cup pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.