Description
Pasta Pomodoro is a classic Italian dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a fresh tomato sauce made with sautéed onions, garlic, and ripe tomatoes, seasoned with basil and red pepper flakes, and finished with grated Parmesan cheese. This simple yet flavorful recipe highlights the freshness of ingredients and is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 lb. spaghetti
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 medium tomatoes, finely chopped (about 4 cups)
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp. thinly sliced fresh basil, plus more for serving
For Serving
- Finely grated Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In another large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Add the finely chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook, stirring, until the juices are released, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has slightly reduced and thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in the sliced fresh basil at the end.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss everything together to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, adding more pasta water as needed until the sauce is glossy and smooth, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional fresh basil leaves as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best sauce taste; Roma or plum tomatoes work well.
- If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can substitute with high-quality canned tomatoes, finely chopped.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control spiciness according to preference.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and to help it cling to the pasta.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Pasta Pomodoro, Italian pasta, tomato sauce, spaghetti, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta
