Print

Tomato Garlic Pasta

Tomato Garlic Pasta
Print Recipe

This easy Tomato Garlic Pasta recipe combines ripe tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and perfectly cooked pasta to create a quick, flavorful, and comforting meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and offers a versatile base that can be customized with proteins, veggies, or herbs. Whether you prefer fresh or canned tomatoes, this vibrant dish delivers satisfying comfort food vibes with simple ingredients and bold, fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Basic Ingredients

  • 200g Spaghetti or pasta of choice
  • 4 Fresh garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
  • 400g Ripe tomatoes (fresh crushed or canned crushed tomatoes)
  • 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 8–10 Fresh basil leaves
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about one cup of the pasta water for later use.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add thinly sliced or minced garlic and cook gently until fragrant and golden, about 1 to 2 minutes—take care not to burn it.
  3. Make the Tomato Sauce: Add the fresh or canned crushed tomatoes to the pan with the garlic. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and develops rich flavors.
  4. Season the Sauce: Stir in salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Add fresh basil leaves near the end of cooking to brighten the sauce with a fresh herbal aroma.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce pan. Toss thoroughly to coat the noodles with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve desired consistency.
  6. Serve: Serve hot with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top (if using), a drizzle of olive oil, and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves for the final touch.

Notes

  • Use fresh minced or thinly sliced garlic for the best flavor compared to pre-minced garlic.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; al dente pasta holds up better when mixed with the sauce and prevents mushiness.
  • Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and bind the ingredients together.
  • Simmer the tomato sauce gently over low heat to develop deeper flavors without drying it out.
  • Add fresh basil leaves at the end of cooking to preserve their bright color and fresh taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato garlic pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, vegan pasta, gluten-free pasta, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/tomato-garlic-pasta/