Tomato Basil Pasta

If there’s one dish that’s loved by my family, it’s this tomato basil pasta. It’s an easy meal that’s satisfying, filling, comforting and quick to put together.

this RECIPE

What We Love About This Tomato Basil Pasta

• Simple, everyday ingredients: You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this dish. Everything you need is probably already sitting in your pantry at this very moment. 
• Great for meal prep: This tomato basil pasta keeps well in the freezer for meal preps and make-ahead meals. 
• Doubles as a soup: This tomato basil pasta dish can double as tomato soup. Just blend the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth and serve warm. 

Tomato Basil Pasta Ingredients

• Tomato Sauce – Roma tomatoes hold their shape and flavor, making them perfect for sauces, soups, and stews. Olive oil and butter serve as part of the base of the tomato sauce. 
• Seasoning – Salt and pepper helps enhance the taste of the tomato sauce. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick of heat as well. 
• Dry Spaghetti – This recipe calls for dry spaghetti pasta but feel free to use your pasta of choice. 
• Fresh Basil – Some chopped up fresh basil towards the end will really bring this dish to life.
• Parmesan Cheese – Grated Parmesan cheese at the end adds some umami flavor and saltiness, so keep this in mind when you add your seasonings. 

How to Make Tomato Basil Pasta

1. Prepare the tomatoes. Lightly score each tomato. 
2. Blanch the tomatoes. Transfer to an ice bath. 
3. Peel the skin off the tomatoes. Try not to waste any of the fleshy tomato parts. 
   
4. Roughly chop the peeled tomatoes. This will make it easier to cook. 
   
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and crushed red pepper to the olive oil and butter. Season with salt and pepper. 
   
6. Reduce the sauce. Let simmer for 40 minutes or so over medium heat. 
   
7. Cook the pasta. Make sure it’s al dente. 
8. Add the pasta to the tomato sauce. Lightly mix together. 
   
9. Top with Parmesan. Serve. 

Storing and Reheating Instructions: 

• To store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
• To reheat: Warm in a pan on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Recipe Variations 

• Use your pasta of choice: This recipe with linguine or angel hair for a varied texture.
• You can also use your pasta alternative of choice such as zoodles or spaghetti squash. 
• Tomato Varieties: Roma tomatoes are great, but feel free to experiment with cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, or even sun-dried tomatoes. 
• Serve with grilled chicken, shrimp, or crumbled sausage. Add your protein of choice. 
• Add a bit of pasta water to the sauce. This will help thicken it further. 

Tomato Basil Pasta

If there's one dish that’s loved by my family, it's this tomato basil pasta. It's an easy meal that's satisfying, filling, comforting and quick.

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Ingredients 

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• ▢ 3 pounds fresh Roma tomatoes
• ▢ ¼ cup olive oil
• ▢ 1 tbsp butter
• ▢ 1 pinch crushed red-pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 pound dry spaghetti
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• ▢ 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
• ▢ salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

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Instructions 

• Score a small 1-inch size “X” on the bottom of each tomato.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Blanch the tomatoes for 60-90 seconds in boiling water.
• Transfer the tomatoes in a bowl of ice water.
• Peel the skin and chopped the tomatoes.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, crushed red pepper and salt and black pepper to taste.
• Simmer for 40 minutes over medium heat or until the sauce is reduced to the desired thickness.
• While the sauce simmering, heat the water for the pasta.
• Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box.
• Drain and add the pasta to the sauce.
• Add the basil and grated Parmesan cheese and stir well.
• Taste and add more salt and black pepper if necessary.
• Remove from the heat.
• Serve with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Simmer the tomato sauce longer if you prefer a thicker consistency. 

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 182mgPotassium: 718mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2074IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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