Slow-Simmered San Marzano Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil

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 genuine Italian pasta dish where tomatoes are simmered for hours to develop deep sweetness, paired with al dente pasta and hand-torn basil for an authentic Roman experience. This Mediterranean recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs San Marzano tomatoes, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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: 15 min Cook: 85 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Core and crush 800 grams San Marzano tomatoes into a pot, adding 4 tablespoons olive oil and 4 minced garlic cloves, then simmer on low heat for 1 hour until thickened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: After 45 minutes of simmering, stir in 1 teaspoon dried oregano and continue cooking until sauce reduces to a thick, spoon-coating consistency (about 15 minutes more).
  3. Step 3: Bring 4 liters of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot, add 400 grams pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
  4. Step 4: While pasta cooks, tear 50 grams fresh basil leaves into small pieces and set aside.
  5. Step 5: Drain pasta, then toss immediately with the hot tomato sauce and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, adding more water if needed to create a glossy coating, then top with fresh basil.

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