Quick and Easy Tomato Basil Pasta

Looking for a quick and easy tomato basil pasta? This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Tomato basil pasta dishes are popular around the world. The combination of fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil leaves, and al dente noodles creates a tasty and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as part of a larger meal.

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) spaghetti pasta
3 large tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
1/4 cup (30g) fresh basil leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

Boil water in a large pot and add salt. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
In the meantime, finely chop the tomatoes and garlic. Set aside.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it but reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot.
Add the chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, and chopped basil. Toss everything together gently to combine well.
If needed, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, optionally topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if preferred.

Cooking Time & Servings

This recipe takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish, including cooking time for the pasta. It serves 4 people comfortably as a main course.

The dish pairs beautifully with various side dishes such as a mixed green salad or crusty bread. For those who love more flavors, you could add grilled chicken or shrimp on top of the pasta for added protein and flavor.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (without optional ingredients): Calories: ~400kcal; Carbohydrates: ~75g; Protein: ~16g; Fat: ~18g. Please note that this is an estimate based on the provided ingredients and can vary depending on the brand of pasta or other optional additions.

Health Benefits

This tomato basil pasta dish offers several health benefits:

Rich in antioxidants: Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene which help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin-rich: Fresh basil adds vitamins A and K to the dish. Vitamin A is essential for eye health while vitamin K supports bone health.
Heart healthy fats: Olive oil used in this recipe provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids that may help reduce cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

To make the dish even more nutritious, consider adding more vegetables like spinach or zucchini. You can also use whole wheat pasta instead of refined flour pasta for increased fiber content and overall nutritional value.

Tips for Success

For optimal flavor, let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving to allow all flavors to meld together.
If you prefer your pasta al dente, taste test it towards the later stages of cooking. Pasta can continue to cook slightly even after being removed from heat due to residual heat in the pot.
To avoid clumping when adding the sauce and basil to the hot pasta, toss gently with tongs or a large spoon rather than stirring vigorously which might break up the noodle strands.

This tomato basil pasta is not only satisfying but also a delightful way to incorporate fresh vegetables into your diet. Whether you are looking for a quick dinner solution or want to impress guests at home, this recipe will certainly delight everyone's taste buds!

Conclusion

A delicious and easy-to-prepare tomato basil pasta dish can be the perfect choice for busy days. Its versatility allows it to complement various side dishes making it ideal for both casual dinners and special occasions.