Authentic Italian Tomato & Basil 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 vibrant dish of al dente pasta tossed in a fresh tomato sauce with fragrant basil and garlic, finished with a drizzle of olive oil. This Mediterranean recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, ripe tomatoes, and garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 280 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 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Equipment for this recipe

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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 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped basil. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes break down and form a thick sauce, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Serve immediately.

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