Sautéed Tomato and Garlic Pasta with Fresh Basil
A simple, comforting pasta dish featuring sun-ripened tomatoes and aromatic garlic, finished with a touch of fresh basil for brightness. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
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, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant — do not brown the garlic.
- Step 3: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly, then season with salt to taste.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss until cheese melts and sauce is glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Tomato and Garlic Pasta with Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Sautéed Tomato and Garlic Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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 Sautéed Tomato and Garlic Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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 Sautéed Tomato and Garlic Pasta with Fresh Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Sautéed Tomato and Garlic Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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
- ★★★★★
Simple but so flavorful. I added a pinch of red pepper flakes and it was perfect for my taste.
- ★★★★★
Cooked this for my family and they loved it. Quick and delicious, my kids even ate the tomatoes!
- ★★★★★
This was my first time making pasta from scratch and it turned out perfect! The fresh basil made all the difference.
