Easy Tomato Basil Pasta

This tomato basil pasta recipe is the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe. The sauce comes together faster than it takes the pasta to cook and is delicious topped with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword pasta basil tomatoes, tomato and basil pasta, tomato basil pasta

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 524kcal

Author Alida Ryder

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1 lb (500g) cherry tomatoes halved
½ cup fresh basil leaves + extra for serving
½ cup water
1 lb (500g) pasta
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water the boil over medium-high heat.
Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of water then drain.
While the pasta is boiling, sauté the garlic in the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan set over medium-high heat.
Once fragrant, add the chopped tomatoes and a sprig of basil and allow to cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes start to soften.
Using the back of a wooden spoon, squash the tomatoes to allow them to break down faster.
Add a splash of water then season to taste.
Allow to simmer until a thick sauce forms. At this stage you can blend the sauce with an immersion blender if you want a smooth sauce. If you want a creamier pasta, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese or creme fraiche.
Grate in Parmesan cheese.
Add the drained pasta, sliced basil and the reserved pasta water to the tomato sauce then toss to coat the pasta.
Serve with plenty of grated parmesan cheese.

Video

Nutrition