Handcrafted Tuscan Tomato Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A truly authentic Italian pasta dish featuring slow-simmered tomatoes, fresh basil, and handmade spaghetti, capturing the essence of Tuscany without modern shortcuts. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs spaghetti, San Marzano tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 3.8 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4L of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot; add 120g spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 150ml pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 400g crushed San Marzano tomatoes, 5g sea salt, and 10g chopped basil; simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until thickened and the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Toss drained spaghetti into the sauce with 100ml reserved pasta water, adding more if too dry until glossy and well-coated.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Handcrafted Tuscan Tomato Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Handcrafted Tuscan Tomato 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 Handcrafted Tuscan Tomato 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 Handcrafted Tuscan Tomato 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 Handcrafted Tuscan Tomato 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes