Tomato Basil Pasta

Tomato Basil Pasta is a simple yet satisfying dish. It's quick and easy, making it the perfect homemade meal without all the hassle. Pair it with a garden salad or a loaf of bread for a tasty dinner.

Jump to:

• Tomato Pasta
• Why You'll Love Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil
• Main Ingredients
• How To Make Tomato Basil Pasta
• How To Serve
• Storage Recommendations
• Tips and Variations
• FAQs
• More Pasta Dinners
• Recipe

Tomato Pasta

I'm always looking for simple, inexpensive dinner recipes that taste great and can be made in under 30 minutes. A few that we make all the time are cheesy chicken and rice casserole, chicken pasta bake, and tomato soup.

This tomato pasta recipe is another one that checks all the boxes. It's easy to make in minutes, packed with flavor, and our whole family loves it. 

The highlight is the light sauce, made from juicy tomatoes and a handful of sweet basil leaves. It's guaranteed to be a favorite on busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table fast.

Why You'll Love Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil

• Quick and Easy: This simple pasta dish can be on the table in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients. It's perfect for those nights when you want a home-cooked meal without all the fuss.
• Versatile: This delicious meal can be paired with various proteins, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or meatballs. It can be easily adjusted to your taste or whatever you have in your kitchen.
• Light and Fresh: The sauce uses tomatoes instead of heavy cream or cheese, making it lighter but still satisfying.

Main Ingredients

This pasta dish uses a few simple ingredients. The complete ingredient list and instructions are on the recipe card.

• Linguine Pasta: Use spaghetti or angel hair noodles if you like.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Avocado oil or butter can be substituted equally. 
• Tomatoes: To make the sauce, use fresh grape tomatoes and a can of diced tomatoes. Chopped Roma, plum, or cherry tomatoes will also work well.
• Minced Garlic: We used four garlic cloves to give it a boost of flavor, but you can also use pre-minced garlic.
• Basil: This recipe is best with fresh basil leaves. Dried basil may be used; however, the amounts and flavors may differ, and the dish may not look the same. 
• Parmesan Cheese: I used a hand grater for a block of parmesan. Pre-grated can also work. However, it may not melt as well as the cheese that you grate yourself.

How To Make Tomato Basil Pasta

This "sauce" for the dish is created by sautéing tomatoes and basil in olive oil, then tossing them with cooked pasta.

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions, then set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, warm olive oil on low-medium heat in a large skillet. Mix in the fresh garlic and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Turn the heat to medium, add the halved tomatoes, and then sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Cook until the skins have softened and the tomatoes are juicy.
4. Add the chopped basil, reserving some for garnish. Turn the heat down and simmer, stirring frequently, until the basil has wilted. Then, add the lightly drained diced tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes to warm them through.
5. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with parmesan cheese, reserving two teaspoons for garnish. Stir gently and let the cheese melt into the sauce. It may not melt completely.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the pan of tomato sauce and mix gently to incorporate. Sprinkle the reserved basil and parmesan cheese over the top and serve immediately!

How To Serve

1. Protein: This is a perfect dish, but if you want to kick it up a notch, try adding some cooked, diced chicken breast or grilled shrimp. You can also serve it with beef or chicken meatballs.
2. Salad: To add crunch to your dinner table, serve it with a mixed green salad or Caesar salad.
3. Bread: Add a loaf of garlic herb bread or dinner rolls to the meal.

Storage Recommendations

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To loosen the sauce, reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or vegetable broth.

Tips and Variations

• Use fresh basil. Fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor to this dish. Add it at the end of cooking to preserve its fresh taste; dried basil won't have the same effect.
• Try all fresh tomatoes. Mixing fresh and canned tomatoes gives the sauce depth and richness while maintaining that fresh taste. If you want to use all fresh, double the amount of grape tomatoes.
• Switch up the noodles. While a longer noodle works best in a light sauce, you can also use bowtie, shells, or penne pasta.
• Don't overcook. Aim for al dente pasta—cooked but still with a bit of bite. This texture pairs perfectly with the light sauce and keeps the dish from getting mushy.
• Add extra veggies. If you want a more veggie-rich dish, add vegetables with the tomatoes. Squash, zucchini, onions, shallots, and bell peppers are all excellent options. You may need to cook them first to help them soften fully in the sauce.
• Spice it up. If you want extra spice in addition to the chili flakes, try some cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce!

FAQs

More Pasta Dinners

• Sausage Stuffed Shells
• Alfredo Ravioli
• Creamy Mac and Cheese
• Stuffed Shells with Meat
• Chipotle Chicken Pasta

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This post was first published in May 2014. It was updated and then republished in August 2024.