Sì, Grazie! Tomato Basil Pasta
A simple weeknight pasta dish featuring fresh tomatoes and basil, ready in 30 minutes with no cream or cheese. This Italian pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
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 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 28 oz diced tomatoes and 1 tsp salt, stirring to break up chunks. Simmer uncovered for 8 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup chopped basil. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce coats every strand and becomes glossy.









