Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil 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 deeply flavored tomato sauce infused with fresh herbs, paired with perfectly al dente spaghetti for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs olive oil, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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: 40 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 500 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, finely chopped, and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, then add 4 garlic cloves, minced, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  3. Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  4. Step 4: Stir 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, into the simmering sauce. Add the drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the sauce, tossing vigorously for 2 minutes until the sauce clings to the pasta strands.
  5. Step 5: Divide among plates, top with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese per serving, and serve immediately.

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