Sicilian Tomato & Herb 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 developed and reviewed.

A vibrant, sun-ripened tomato sauce kissed with fresh basil and garlic, served over al dente spaghetti to honor Sicilian coastal traditions. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs spaghetti, ripe 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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, core and dice 2 lbs ripe tomatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Heat 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add diced tomatoes, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Toss drained spaghetti into the tomato sauce with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, adding more water as needed to create a glossy coating. Stir in 1/2 cup torn fresh basil until wilted and fragrant, about 1 minute.

Related recipes