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Fresh Tomato Pasta Recipe

4.5 from 71 reviews

A light and refreshing Fresh Tomato Pasta recipe that highlights the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes combined with aromatic garlic and basil. This simple yet flavorful dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual lunch, using minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 300g spaghetti or your favorite pasta

Sauce

  • 4 cups fresh tomatoes, diced (Roma or heirloom varieties are great)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

For Serving

  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Boil Water: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the oil and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add Tomatoes: Stir in diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.
  5. Toss with Pasta: Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the tomato mixture.
  6. Combine: Pour in the reserved pasta water to help create a sauce, stirring well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
  7. Incorporate Basil: Add fresh basil leaves, tossing gently to incorporate.
  8. Serve: Plate the pasta and, if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or additional basil.

Notes

  • Use ripe, fresh tomatoes for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.
  • For a spicy kick, include the optional red pepper flakes.
  • Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory touch.
  • This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors.

Keywords: fresh tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, tomato basil pasta, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta dish