Homemade Pasta Pomodoro: Simple, Fresh, and Utterly Delicious!

Pasta Pomodoro is a classic Italian dish that celebrates simplicity and fresh ingredients.

The vibrant red sauce captures the essence of traditional Mediterranean cooking with its rich tomato base.

Everyone enjoys this tasty meal because it’s easy to make and full of flavor.

Italian kitchens have treasured this recipe for years, bringing families together through shared meals and traditions.

The mix of ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and perfectly cooked pasta offers a comforting experience for those who love good food.

This sauce showcases the beauty of Italian cooking by turning simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal.

Why Pasta Pomodoro Is So Comforting

• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Just a handful of pantry staples transform into a restaurant-quality meal without complicated shopping.
• Speed Demon Dinner: From start to finish, this recipe takes under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes fast.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Classic Italian flavors guaranteed to make everyone from kids to adults smile, with simple ingredients that feel like a warm culinary hug.

Everything You Need For Pasta Pomodoro

Main Ingredients:

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta that serves as the base of the dish, providing a perfect vehicle for the sauce.

• Basil Sprigs, Fresh Basil: Adds bright, aromatic flavor and fresh green garnish to the final dish.

• Butter, Parmesan Cheese: Provides rich, creamy depth and savory finish to the pasta.

Sauce Ingredients:

• San Marzano Tomatoes: Sweet, low-acid Italian tomatoes that create a smooth and rich sauce base.

• Garlic: Adds deep, pungent flavor foundation to the sauce, best when fresh and not browned.

• Salt, Sugar: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce, helping to round out the tomato's natural taste.

Optional Ingredients:

• Olive Oil: Prevents pasta from sticking and adds subtle fruity undertone to the dish, extra virgin recommended for best flavor.

Pasta Pomodoro Cooking Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, following package guidelines. Drain pasta in a colander, giving it a gentle shake to remove excess water. If desired, lightly coat pasta with a touch of olive oil to prevent clumping.

Step 2: Craft Tomato Sauce

Heat a skillet over medium flame. Gently melt butter until it starts to shimmer. Add minced garlic and swirl in the pan, releasing its aromatic essence without letting it turn brown.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Whole tomatoes
• Fresh basil sprigs
• Pinch of salt
• Sprinkle of sugar

Crush tomatoes with a wooden spoon, allowing them to break down. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, letting the herbs and seasonings dance together.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Sauce

Reduce heat to low. Let the sauce simmer softly, allowing flavors to intermingle and develop depth. After 5 minutes, remove from heat and discard basil sprigs.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Torn fresh basil leaves

Serve immediately while warm and vibrant.

Top Tips To Nail Pasta Pomodoro

• Prevent Pasta Clumping: Drizzle olive oil after boiling to keep spaghetti strands separate and smooth.
• Garlic Perfection: Cook garlic briefly to release aroma without burning, which can create a bitter taste.
• Tomato Selection Matters: Use San Marzano tomatoes for authentic, rich flavor and superior sauce quality.
• Balance Sauce Flavors: Add a pinch of sugar to neutralize tomato acidity and enhance overall taste profile.
• Fresh Herb Finishing: Sprinkle fresh basil just before serving to maximize aromatic impact and brighten the dish.

Pasta Pomodoro: How To Store And Reheat

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Microwave: Reheat single portions by adding a splash of water, covering with a damp paper towel, and warming in 30-second intervals until heated through.
• Stovetop: Revive pasta's texture by gently reheating in a skillet with a bit of olive oil or extra sauce, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
• Freezing: While possible, pasta pomodoro loses quality when frozen due to tomato sauce's texture changes, so best consumed fresh within recommended refrigeration timeframe.

What Tastes Best With Pasta Pomodoro

• Perfectly Paired Wine Selection: Choose a crisp, medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti Classico to complement the bright tomato sauce and enhance the pasta's flavor profile.
• Classic Garlic Bread Companion: Craft a quick side of toasted baguette slices rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil to soak up the delicious sauce and add textural contrast.
• Fresh Herb Salad Sidekick: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan to provide a peppery, tangy counterpoint to the rich, sweet tomato sauce.
• Crisp Sparkling Aperitif: Serve chilled Prosecco to cut through the richness of the dish and refresh the palate with its bright, effervescent character.

Fresh Takes On Pasta Pomodoro

• Gluten-Free Pasta Paradise: Swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace butter with olive oil, omit Parmesan, and add roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Option: Substitute spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that keeps the classic tomato sauce flavor.
• Protein Power Bowl: Mix in grilled chicken or plant-based protein like chickpeas to transform the simple pasta into a more substantial meal that provides additional nutrients and satisfies hunger.

Your Questions On Pasta Pomodoro Answered

• What makes San Marzano tomatoes special for this recipe?

San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their sweet flavor, low acidity, and fewer seeds, which create a smoother, richer sauce compared to regular tomatoes.

• Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?

Fresh basil is recommended for this recipe as it provides a brighter, more vibrant flavor. Dried basil can be used, but the taste will be less intense and aromatic.

• Why add sugar to the tomato sauce?

The small amount of sugar helps balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes, creating a more rounded and harmonious flavor profile in the sauce.

• Is it necessary to remove the garlic and basil sprigs before adding pasta?

Yes, removing them ensures a smooth sauce and prevents biting into whole garlic pieces or tough basil stems while eating the pasta.

Scrumptious Pasta Pomodoro Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky spaghetti meets classic Italian Pasta Pomodoro, dancing with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil in a simple yet elegant culinary symphony. Fragrant herbs and perfectly al dente noodles invite you to savor authentic Mediterranean flavors with each delightful twirl of your fork.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti

Herbs and Dairy

• 5 sprigs fresh basil (plus more for garnish)
• ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) salted butter

Seasonings and Tomatoes

• 56 cloves garlic, smashed
• 28 ounces (794 grams) canned San Marzano tomatoes, whole and peeled
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until it reaches an al dente texture, ensuring a slight firmness when bitten.
2. Transfer the cooked pasta to a colander, allowing excess water to drain completely, then lightly coat with olive oil to prevent clumping.
3. Heat a skillet over medium temperature, melting butter until it becomes smooth and slightly foamy.
4. Introduce minced garlic to the butter, gently sautéing until its aromatic essence is released but before any browning occurs.
5. Pour in San Marzano tomatoes, crushing them directly into the pan to create a rustic sauce texture.
6. Nestle fresh basil sprigs into the simmering tomato mixture, allowing their herbaceous notes to infuse the sauce.
7. Sprinkle in salt and a touch of sugar to balance the tomatoes’ natural acidity, stirring gently to incorporate.
8. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer, allowing the flavors to harmonize and develop depth for approximately 5 minutes.
9. Remove the skillet from heat, carefully extracting the basil sprigs and any large garlic pieces.
10. Carefully fold the prepared spaghetti into the vibrant sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated.
11. Finish the dish by generously garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and delicate torn basil leaves.
12. Serve immediately, presenting a classic Italian pasta pomodoro that celebrates simplicity and flavor.

Notes

• Choose high-quality San Marzano tomatoes for the most authentic and rich flavor profile.
• Avoid browning garlic to prevent a bitter taste that can ruin the delicate sauce.
• Use fresh basil leaves for maximum aromatic impact and bright, herbaceous notes.
• Grate Parmesan cheese just before serving to ensure the freshest, most vibrant cheese flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg