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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Easy Tomato Basil Pasta

    July 2, 2021 by LaKita 6 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    overhead view of pasta and tomato on white plate with fork.

    This easy Tomato Basil Pasta is made using simple, fresh, and delicious ingredients to make the perfect delicious but uncomplicated meal. Perfect anytime!

    This tomato basil pasta pairs deliciously well with Peach Sweet Tea and Easy Dinner Breadsticks. 

    overhead view tomato and pasta on white plate with fork

    Well...

    Let me tell you that recipes do not have to be complicated at all. Especially during the summer with the kids being out of school and the states beginning to fully open again. Uncomplicated is certainly all I am interested in when it comes to everyday life and meals/recipes. 

    Spaghetti pasta is a staple in my kitchen pantry. There are so many ways that it can be used to make a quick meal. I prefer to use thin spaghetti pasta, but for any of my recipes, feel free to use whichever pasta noodle that you prefer. 

    WHY IS THIS RECIPE THE BEST?

    Today's recipe is ...

    • Easy to make!
    • Has a simple list of ingredients. 
    • The perfect combination of fresh tomatoes and basil. 
    • Comes together in minutes. 

    WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA?

    1. Spaghetti. I prefer to use thin spaghetti because it is what I always have on hand, but feel free to use any that you would like or have available. 
    2. Tomatoes. Clean and cut up some grape tomatoes to mix into this recipe. Cut each individual tomato in quarters lengthwise. 
    3. Basil. Fresh basil works best, but if you need to substitute it for dried basil, try opting for the lightly dried basil that can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. 
    4. Garlic. Mince one clove of fresh garlic. If you need to use the kind of garlic that is already minced and ready to use, by all means, go for that instead. 
    5. Olive oil. I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but any will do!
    6. Red pepper flakes. Also known as crushed red pepper. Use more if you like more heat and less if you are sensitive to heat. You can also omit this all together. 
    7. Oregano. This should be in your spice rack!
    8. Ground black pepper. Freshly ground or preground is fine. 
    9. Nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese. Use nutritional yeast to keep this recipe plant based and grated Parmesan cheese if you prefer, either is fine! 
    10. Lemon juice. Cut a small lemon in half and use half of the juice in one lemon. 

    HOW TO MAKE TOMATO BASIL PASTA RECIPE?

    Begin the recipe by cooking the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Reserve a little of the pasta water to use in the sauce later.
     
    spaghetti pasta being cooked in a pot with water
     
    In a large bowl, mix together the tomatoes, minced garlic, basil, red pepper flakes, oregano, and ground black pepper. Set this mixture aside for later.
     
    ingredients for pasta in glass mixing bowl ingredients to make pasta mixed together in bowl
     
    Once the pasta is ready, drain off the water and slowly add the pasta into the tomato mixture. Tossing the mixture to incorporate and add in the reserved pasta water until the mixture is well combined. Use as much or as little of the pasta water that you desire, but you will probably use either ¼ cup or ½ cup depending on how thick or thin you prefer the sauce.
     
    pasta ingredients combined in glass mixing bowl
     
    Sprinkle the tomato basil pasta with the nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Give it one final toss before serving and enjoy!

    tomato pasta with lemon wedge on white plate topped with parsley.

    overhead view of pasta and tomato on white plate with fork.

    Easy Tomato Basil Pasta

    LaKita Anderson
    Easy Tomato Basil Pasta – Made using simple, fresh, and delicious ingredients to make the perfect quick and easy meal. Perfect anytime.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 229 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 ounces thin spaghetti
    • 1 ½ cups grape tomatoes, quartered
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup basil, chopped fresh
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast or grated Parmesan cheese
    • juice ½ lemon

    Instructions
     

    • Cook 6 ounces of spaghetti pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water to use in the sauce later.
    • In a large serving bowl, mix together the 1 ½ cups tomatoes, 1 clove minced garlic, ¼ cup fresh basil, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and set aside.
    • Once the spaghetti is ready, drain, and slowly add into the tomato mixture. Tossing to incorporate as add in the reserved pasta water until the mixture is well combined.
    • Use as much or as little of the pasta water that you desire, but you will probably use either ¼ cup or ½ cup depending on how thick or thin you like the sauce.
    • Sprinkle the tomato basil pasta with ¼ cup nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese and the juice of half of a lemon and give it one final toss before serving.

    Notes

    *Recipe adapted from Shutterbean

    Nutrition

    Calories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 9gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 103mgPotassium: 251mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 641IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 1mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword tomato basil pasta
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

    Original post date 08/24/2016. Updated 07/02/2021. Updated photos are by Gabby of Cookie Dough Diaries.

    close up side view tomato basil pasta on white plate

    WANT MORE SIMPLE TOMATO RECIPES? TRY THESE:

    • Martha Stewart One-Pan Pasta 
    • Sun Dried Tomato Pesto 
    • Tomato Peach Salad
    • Lemon Pasta Salad 

    Have any comments, questions, or other ideas about this Tomato Basil Pasta? Please share them in the comments below!


    More Main Dishes

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    • Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese Sandwiches
    • Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe
    • One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sonya

      August 25, 2016 at 9:25 am

      I'm glad to see you back. Sorry to hear about your Grandfather passing.
      The basil pasta sounds yummy. Unfortunately, the basil in didn't do as well this year. I really love basil and I missed having an abundance of it this summer.

      Reply
      • admin

        August 25, 2016 at 12:12 pm

        Thank you. It feels good to be back. Aww...too bad about the basil. I actually have been testing out Gourmet Garden's lightly dried basil and I used that in this recipe.

        Reply
    2. Tamara

      August 28, 2016 at 11:39 pm

      This looks delicious. I'm so sorry about your grandfather and the bad summer cold. They take a toll. Welcome back!

      Reply
      • admin

        August 29, 2016 at 3:05 pm

        Thank you so much 🙂

        Reply
    3. Gabby

      August 09, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is so delicious and so easy! I will definitely be making it again - thank you!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        August 17, 2021 at 3:30 pm

        Thank you so much Gabby! So happy to hear that you enjoyed it!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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