How to Make a Delicious Tomato Basil Pasta

Tomato Basil Pasta is a classic Italian dish that can be easily prepared at home for your family and friends. This recipe is perfect for those looking for a quick, easy, yet satisfying meal. The key ingredients needed are pasta (like spaghetti), tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

Cooking time: Approximately 25 minutes

Servings: 4-6 people

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 1 pound of spaghetti or any pasta of your choice
• 4 medium-sized ripe tomatoes, chopped finely
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps for Making Tomato Basil Pasta:

Step 1: Prepare the pasta.

Boil a large pot of salted water. Once it starts boiling, add your spaghetti or any preferred type of pasta you like best. Cook according to package instructions until al dente (firm but not hard). Drain the cooked pasta and set aside. You can reserve some of the cooking liquid as needed later.

Step 2: Heat up olive oil with garlic in a pan.

In a medium-sized frying pan, heat up your olive oil on medium heat. Once it’s warm but not too hot, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned. Garlic should only be lightly toasted to avoid burning which can affect the taste of your dish negatively.

Step 3: Add tomatoes and basil.

Add chopped tomatoes into the pan with garlic and allow them to simmer for about 5 minutes or until they start becoming soft and slightly mashed. Stir occasionally to ensure everything blends well together. Once they have softened, stir in the fresh basil leaves and continue cooking for another few minutes while allowing flavors to meld.

Step 4: Combine pasta with sauce.

After your tomato basil mixture has cooked down nicely, toss the drained pasta into the pan with the sauce. Stir well ensuring that each strand of spaghetti is coated evenly in the rich tomato basil sauce. If desired, you can add some reserved cooking liquid to create a slightly thicker sauce consistency if preferred. At this point, season generously with salt and pepper according to personal taste preferences.

Step 5: Garnish and serve.

Garnish your pasta dish with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and texture. Serve hot straight from the pan onto plates and enjoy! This dish pairs wonderfully well with a simple green salad or crusty bread on the side to balance out flavors.

Tips & Variations:

• If you prefer more heat, consider adding some red pepper flakes during cooking.
• To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, ensure that all ingredients used are free from any meat products.
• You could also experiment by using different types of pasta shapes like penne or fusilli to give your dish a unique presentation.

Taking just about 25 minutes to prepare, Tomato Basil Pasta offers a delightful twist on traditional Italian cuisine while being simple enough for beginners. Its bright red color from the tomatoes paired with fresh green basil not only looks appealing but also provides numerous health benefits such as antioxidants found in both vegetables. Whether you're having it as a weeknight dinner or hosting a casual gathering, this hearty yet light meal is sure to impress everyone at the table!

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p>Enjoy your delicious and nutritious Tomato Basil Pasta!