Chapter Officer Training Tomato Basil Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Simple pasta with sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil, ready in 20 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, diced tomatoes, chopped basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until garlic is golden but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in diced tomatoes and simmer for 3 minutes until they soften. Add drained pasta, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, and chopped basil, tossing until sauce clings to strands.
  4. Step 4: Season with salt and toss in grated Parmesan until melted and glossy, ensuring the pasta has a bright, tomato-forward flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chapter Officer Training Tomato Basil Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chapter Officer Training Tomato Basil Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chapter Officer Training Tomato Basil Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chapter Officer Training Tomato Basil Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chapter Officer Training Tomato Basil Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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