Ingredients
Scale
- 400g (14 oz) of spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 2 cups of ripe cherry or roma tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: red chili flakes for a spicy kick
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they break down into a sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in chopped basil, and season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes if desired.
- Transfer the pasta to plates. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and extra basil leaves for flavor. Serve immediately for best results.
Notes
- Use ripe, high-quality tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- For added protein, incorporate cooked chicken or shrimp.
- Experiment with herbs such as oregano or thyme for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 450 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
