Budget-Friendly 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 simple, economical weeknight dinner featuring pantry staples and fresh herbs, perfect for stretching your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor. This Italian-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic 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.

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 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 skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until slightly thickened and aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the sauce, tossing gently. If too dry, add 2-3 tablespoons reserved pasta water until sauce coats noodles evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped basil until evenly distributed and vibrant green.

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