Restore the Classic 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 revival of a timeless Italian dish featuring fresh tomatoes and herbs, simmered to perfection for a bright, herbaceous sauce that brings home cooking back to life. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 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 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Season the sauce with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil until wilted and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce coats the strands evenly. Serve immediately topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

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