Stir-Fried Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
A vibrant Italian dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with sun-ripened tomatoes and aromatic basil in a light olive oil sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2 large tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced red chili pepper, cooking 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
- Step 3: Add 2 diced large tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes until tomatoes break down. Toss in drained spaghetti, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and toss until sauce coats strands evenly. Serve immediately with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.








