Pasta with Tomato and Basil Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

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.

Al dente spaghetti tossed in a vibrant tomato sauce with fresh basil, balancing acidity and sweetness for a classic Italian experience. This Italian recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti pasta, olive oil, and garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz (about 3 1/2 cups) canned crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
3/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water

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Instructions

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. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the pasta.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 2 tbsp tomato paste, then season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 3/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously over medium heat for 1 minute until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Toss again briefly to melt the cheese into the sauce before serving.