Authentic Martin's Tomato Basil Pasta
A vibrant Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil, cooked to al dente perfection with a touch of garlic and olive oil for a true taste of Tuscany. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups, diced ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot; add 8 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 extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups diced tomatoes to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp sea salt, and simmer for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down and form a thick sauce.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup sliced basil, tossing vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats every strand and becomes glossy.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted, and serve immediately with extra basil for garnish.









