Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta
A classic Italian dish featuring a deeply flavored tomato sauce simmered with fresh herbs, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti for a comforting weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, medium, finely diced onion 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
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
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 saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Step 4: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the saucepan along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce evenly coats the pasta and reaches desired consistency.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, topped with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta?
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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta?
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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Basil Pasta?
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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 30-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
