Name: Delicious Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
Ingredients: Pasta of Choice (8 ounces): This is where you get to personalize your pasta experience! The recipe is incredibly versatile and works wonderfully with a variety of pasta shapes. Spaghetti: A classic choice, spaghetti strands twirl beautifully with the tomato and basil sauce, offering a satisfying bite. Its long shape allows for ample sauce clinging, ensuring every forkful is flavorful.; Penne: The ridged surface and hollow center of penne are perfect for capturing the chunky tomato sauce. Its sturdy shape holds up well and is great for scooping up all the delicious bits.; Fusilli (Spirals): These corkscrew-shaped pasta are fantastic at trapping sauce in their twists and turns. They offer a fun texture and are particularly enjoyable for kids and adults alike.; Farfalle (Bow Ties): Farfalle, with their charming bow tie shape, add a touch of elegance to the dish. Their textured surface and folds hold the sauce beautifully and provide a delightful chewiness.; Rigatoni: For a heartier pasta experience, rigatoni’s wide tubes and ridged exterior are ideal. They are robust enough to stand up to a chunkier sauce and offer a satisfyingly substantial bite.; Gluten-Free Options: If you’re gluten-free, don’t worry! There are fantastic gluten-free pasta options available made from brown rice, quinoa, corn, or lentil flour. Choose your favorite gluten-free pasta shape and enjoy this recipe without compromise.; Cherry Tomatoes (2 cups, halved): Cherry tomatoes are the stars of this dish, bringing a burst of sweetness and acidity that perfectly complements the basil and pasta. Variety Matters: While any cherry tomato will work, consider exploring different varieties for nuanced flavor. Sungold tomatoes are incredibly sweet and almost candy-like. Sweet 100s are prolific and provide a classic tomato flavor. Black Cherry tomatoes offer a slightly richer, more complex taste. Mixing different colors and varieties can also add visual appeal to the dish.; Ripeness is Key: Choose tomatoes that are firm, plump, and vibrantly colored. Avoid tomatoes that are bruised, soft, or have blemishes. Ripe tomatoes will be naturally sweeter and more flavorful.; Halving for Flavor Release: Halving the cherry tomatoes is crucial as it allows their juices to release and mingle with the olive oil and seasonings as they warm through. This enhances the sauce and creates a more flavorful experience.; Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Olive oil is the foundation of this simple sauce, adding richness, flavor, and healthy fats. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): For the best flavor and health benefits, always use extra virgin olive oil. EVOO is made from pure, cold-pressed olives and retains more of its natural flavors and antioxidants.; Flavor Profile: Consider the flavor profile of your olive oil. Fruity and peppery olive oils will add a more pronounced flavor to the dish, while milder oils will allow the tomato and basil flavors to shine through. Experiment to find your preference!; Quality Matters: Invest in a good quality olive oil. It makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor of the dish, especially in simple recipes like this where olive oil is a prominent ingredient.; Fresh Basil Leaves (Generous handful): Fresh basil is the aromatic heart of this pasta, infusing it with its signature sweet, peppery, and slightly minty flavor. Fresh is Essential: Dried basil simply cannot compare to the vibrant flavor of fresh basil in this recipe. The fresh leaves release their essential oils when tossed with the warm pasta and tomatoes, creating an intoxicating aroma and flavor.; Types of Basil: While sweet basil is the most common and widely used, consider exploring other basil varieties for subtle flavor variations. Genovese basil is a classic Italian basil with a strong, sweet aroma. Thai basil has a slightly anise-like flavor. Lemon basil offers a citrusy note.; Adding Basil at the End: It’s crucial to add the fresh basil at the very end, just before serving. Cooking basil for too long can diminish its flavor and turn it brown. Tossing it in at the end preserves its bright green color and fresh, vibrant taste.; Salt and Pepper (To Taste): Salt and pepper are the essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dish. Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is often preferred by chefs for its clean, pure flavor and larger crystals, which are easier to pinch and control.; Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper has a much more pungent and aromatic flavor than pre-ground pepper. Grind it just before using for the best taste.; Seasoning to Taste: Don’t be afraid to season generously with salt and pepper. Taste the tomatoes and pasta mixture before adding the basil and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remember, salt enhances flavor, and pepper adds a subtle kick.

Ingredients

Pasta of Choice (8 ounces): This is where you get to personalize your pasta experience! The recipe is incredibly versatile and works wonderfully with a variety of pasta shapes.
- Spaghetti: A classic choice, spaghetti strands twirl beautifully with the tomato and basil sauce, offering a satisfying bite. Its long shape allows for ample sauce clinging, ensuring every forkful is flavorful.
- Penne: The ridged surface and hollow center of penne are perfect for capturing the chunky tomato sauce. Its sturdy shape holds up well and is great for scooping up all the delicious bits.
- Fusilli (Spirals): These corkscrew-shaped pasta are fantastic at trapping sauce in their twists and turns. They offer a fun texture and are particularly enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
- Farfalle (Bow Ties): Farfalle, with their charming bow tie shape, add a touch of elegance to the dish. Their textured surface and folds hold the sauce beautifully and provide a delightful chewiness.
- Rigatoni: For a heartier pasta experience, rigatoni’s wide tubes and ridged exterior are ideal. They are robust enough to stand up to a chunkier sauce and offer a satisfyingly substantial bite.
- Gluten-Free Options: If you’re gluten-free, don’t worry! There are fantastic gluten-free pasta options available made from brown rice, quinoa, corn, or lentil flour. Choose your favorite gluten-free pasta shape and enjoy this recipe without compromise.
When selecting your pasta, opt for high-quality brands. Bronze-die pasta, in particular, often has a rougher texture that helps sauces cling better. Fresh pasta can also be used, but cooking times will be significantly shorter, so adjust accordingly.

Cherry Tomatoes (2 cups, halved): Cherry tomatoes are the stars of this dish, bringing a burst of sweetness and acidity that perfectly complements the basil and pasta.
- Variety Matters: While any cherry tomato will work, consider exploring different varieties for nuanced flavor. Sungold tomatoes are incredibly sweet and almost candy-like. Sweet 100s are prolific and provide a classic tomato flavor. Black Cherry tomatoes offer a slightly richer, more complex taste. Mixing different colors and varieties can also add visual appeal to the dish.
- Ripeness is Key: Choose tomatoes that are firm, plump, and vibrantly colored. Avoid tomatoes that are bruised, soft, or have blemishes. Ripe tomatoes will be naturally sweeter and more flavorful.
- Halving for Flavor Release: Halving the cherry tomatoes is crucial as it allows their juices to release and mingle with the olive oil and seasonings as they warm through. This enhances the sauce and creates a more flavorful experience.

Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Olive oil is the foundation of this simple sauce, adding richness, flavor, and healthy fats.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): For the best flavor and health benefits, always use extra virgin olive oil. EVOO is made from pure, cold-pressed olives and retains more of its natural flavors and antioxidants.
- Flavor Profile: Consider the flavor profile of your olive oil. Fruity and peppery olive oils will add a more pronounced flavor to the dish, while milder oils will allow the tomato and basil flavors to shine through. Experiment to find your preference!
- Quality Matters: Invest in a good quality olive oil. It makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor of the dish, especially in simple recipes like this where olive oil is a prominent ingredient.

Fresh Basil Leaves (Generous handful): Fresh basil is the aromatic heart of this pasta, infusing it with its signature sweet, peppery, and slightly minty flavor.
- Fresh is Essential: Dried basil simply cannot compare to the vibrant flavor of fresh basil in this recipe. The fresh leaves release their essential oils when tossed with the warm pasta and tomatoes, creating an intoxicating aroma and flavor.
- Types of Basil: While sweet basil is the most common and widely used, consider exploring other basil varieties for subtle flavor variations. Genovese basil is a classic Italian basil with a strong, sweet aroma. Thai basil has a slightly anise-like flavor. Lemon basil offers a citrusy note.
- Adding Basil at the End: It’s crucial to add the fresh basil at the very end, just before serving. Cooking basil for too long can diminish its flavor and turn it brown. Tossing it in at the end preserves its bright green color and fresh, vibrant taste.

Salt and Pepper (To Taste): Salt and pepper are the essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dish.
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is often preferred by chefs for its clean, pure flavor and larger crystals, which are easier to pinch and control.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper has a much more pungent and aromatic flavor than pre-ground pepper. Grind it just before using for the best taste.
- Seasoning to Taste: Don’t be afraid to season generously with salt and pepper. Taste the tomatoes and pasta mixture before adding the basil and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remember, salt enhances flavor, and pepper adds a subtle kick.

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta to Perfection: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Salt is crucial for seasoning the pasta itself from the inside out. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water. Once boiling, add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions. Crucially, cook the pasta al dente. This Italian term means “to the tooth,” indicating that the pasta should be cooked through but still firm to the bite, not mushy. Al dente pasta has a better texture and holds its shape better when mixed with sauce. Start checking for doneness a minute or two before the package directions suggest. To test, remove a strand of pasta and bite into it. It should be slightly firm in the center.

Prepare the Tomato “Sauce” (Quickly!): While the pasta is cooking, prepare the simple tomato sauce. In a large pan or skillet (large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta later), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Allow the oil to heat gently; you’ll know it’s ready when it shimmers slightly. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook the tomatoes in batches to ensure they warm through evenly and don’t steam.

Warm Through, Don’t Overcook: Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until they are warmed through and just beginning to soften. You want them to retain some of their shape and texture, not become completely mushy. This should take about 3-5 minutes, depending on the size and ripeness of your tomatoes. The goal is to gently heat them and allow their natural juices to release and mingle with the olive oil and seasonings, creating a light and flavorful “sauce.” Avoid overcooking the tomatoes, as they can become watery and lose their vibrant flavor.

Combine Pasta and Tomatoes: Once the pasta is cooked al dente, drain it immediately, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Don’t rinse the pasta! Rinsing removes the starch that helps the sauce cling to the pasta. Add the drained pasta directly to the pan with the warmed tomatoes.

Toss and Finish: Toss the pasta and tomatoes together gently to combine, ensuring the pasta is coated with the tomato “sauce.” If the mixture seems a bit dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water. The starchy water helps to emulsify the sauce and create a silky, glossy coating on the pasta. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately toss in the fresh basil leaves. The residual heat of the pasta and tomatoes will gently wilt the basil, releasing its fragrant aroma.

Serve Immediately: Tomato Basil Pasta is best served immediately while it’s warm and the basil is fresh and vibrant. Portion the pasta into bowls and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for those who enjoy cheese). Serve and enjoy the simple, fresh flavors of this delightful dish!

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 400-500
Sugar: 5-8 grams
Fat: 15-20 grams
Saturated Fat: 2-3 grams
Carbohydrates: 60-70 grams
Fiber: 5-7 grams
Protein: 10-15 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg