Tomato Basil Pasta

Wednesday, June 1, 2022
If you have 30 minutes, this Tomato Basil Pasta dinner will be on your table and your new weeknight favorite meal.

Tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, butter, and pasta are a few ingredients to keep on hand to make a tasty summer meal we absolutely love because it's on the lighter side for dinner and so fast.

Change the recipe up by adding leftover meat from previous dinners during the week or leftover pasta marinara sauce but if you want a true tomato basil pasta dish, the simplicity in this recipe is super delicious.

Of course, for those who love a traditional meat tomato sauce, or even an alfredo sauce, you can adapt this recipe and it will still taste marvelous.

We will add some suggestions below to make this dinner different every time you make it and no one won't know about our secret basic recipe sauce

This simple pasta recipe is fabulous in less and made in less than 30 minutes so don't miss my tips below.

All you need is your favorite pasta and a few simple pantry ingredients kept on hand and this will be a winner in your home for all your pasta lovers out there.

Scroll down to see our simple printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.


tomato fresh basil and spaghetti





Easy Pasta Recipes



First of all, you don't have to love to cook, and if you're one that hates to cook this will be the perfect recipe to add to an easy collection of pasta recipes.


Pasta is a staple in our home and we love all shapes and sizes, so pick up your favorites and keep them on hand (we store ours in the refrigerator to keep pests away from living inside the pasta).


If you would like to add meat to this basic recipe don't miss our cooked meat suggestions as you scroll down below to the recipe.


grape tomato pasta and basil


Additions and Suggestions

  1. sauteed mushrooms
  2. cooked mini meatballs
  3. sauteed broccoli rabe
  4. canned heated
  5. artichoke hearts
  6. mozzarella balls or cubes
  7. feta cheese with kalmata olives
  8. broccoli florets steamed
  9. cooked escarole
  10. bell peppers or hot peppers
  11. raw arugula 
  12. smoked salmon 
  13. cooked pork tenderloin
  14. cooked steak
  15. cooked shrimp 
  16. any leftover meats like rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast boneless \
  17. jar sauces IE alfredo, marinara, meat sauce lightly tossed into the basic recipe with pasta
  18. deli meats chopped
  19. pepperoni slices

ingredients for tomato basil pasta dinner


Pasta Suggestions

  1. rigatoni
  2. bowties
  3. mostaccioli
  4. fusilli
  5. seashells
  6. spaghetti
  7. bucatini


penne with sauce mozzarella and chicken


Tips

  • cook any kind of pasta you prefer al dente
  • use jarred sauces to change up the pasta dish
  • instead of butter, you can use all olive oil
  • use only grape or cherry tomatoes for best results
  • any raw vegetables or cooked vegetables can be used in place of tomatoes
  • use any cooked meats you prefer chicken, steak, pork, or more bacon instead
  • cubed cheeses of any kind can be used in addition to the tomato basil pasta recipe
  • for a little heat add some red pepper flakes as a garnish



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Pasta Lovers



One last thing for a quick meal tip!

Cook the pasta of choice ahead of time and toss it with the butter, and cheese, and make the basic recipe, it will keep up to 4 days, then just reheat it with any of your favorite additions for a quick new meal!


This pasta dish is perfect in warmer weather for a light pasta meal.


Enjoy it with any kind of pasta and improvise with additions it can be all vegetarian or made with the addition of meat and perfect for repurposing those leftovers!


Tomato Basil Pasta

Tomato Basil Pasta

Yield: 6
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min
This is a quick 15 minutes recipe with tomato, fresh basil, and many options to add to any pasta you prefer. It's easy and a perfect light meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb spaghetti cooked al dente and drained and saving two cups of HOT pasta water or another pasta you prefer like penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 package of around 12 ounces or more of grape tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh garlic
  • 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano
  • Optional: mozzarella balls or cubes and/or add 2 cups marinara sauce for a sauce-style pasta dish
  • Cooked Meat options (using 1 cup): cooked boneless chicken, Italian sliced sausage, crispy bacon, small mini meatballs, boneless pork add cooked meats to the bowl after the cheese step. Leftover meats are perfect for this dish from a previous dinner.

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta, as per package instructions until al dente.
  2. Slice the tomatoes in half and add them to a medium-sized bowl.
  3. Fold in the fresh basil with olive oil, finely minced garlic, and balsamic vinegar
  4. Add some salt and pepper to taste and stir together.
  5. Place the drained pasta with HOT pasta water in a large clean serving bowl.
  6. Stir in the cheese, and butter using tongs and toss to coat the pasta and combine then add the tomato mixture to this creamy mixture.
  7. Serve immediately with additional freshly grated Parmesan.

Notes

Pasta Suggestions

  1. rigatoni
  2. bowties
  3. mostaccioli
  4. fusilli
  5. seashells
  6. spaghetti
  7. bucatini

Tips

  • cook any kind of pasta you prefer al dente
  • use jarred sauces to change up the pasta dish
  • instead of butter, you can use all olive oil
  • use only grape or cherry tomatoes for the best results
  • any raw vegetables or cooked vegetables can be used in place of tomatoes
  • use any cooked meats you prefer chicken, steak, pork, or more bacon instead
  • cubed cheeses of any kind can be used in addition to the tomato basil pasta recipe
  • for a little heat add some red pepper flakes as a garnish


Additions and Suggestions

  • sauteed mushrooms
  • cooked mini meatballs
  • sliced pepperoni
  • sauteed broccoli rabe
  • canned heated artichoke hearts
  • mozzarella balls or cubes
  • feta cheese with kalmata olives
  • broccoli florets steamed
  • cooked escarole
  • bell peppers or hot peppers
  • raw arugula
  • smoked salmon
  • cooked pork tenderloin
  • cooked steak
  • cooked shrimp
  • any leftover meats like rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast boneless
  • jar sauces IE alfredo, marinara, and meat sauce lightly tossed into the basic recipe with pasta
  • deli meats chopped


Nutrition Facts

Calories

404.59

Fat (grams)

11.97

Sat. Fat (grams)

4.7

Carbs (grams)

60.29

Fiber (grams)

3.02

Net carbs

57.27

Sugar (grams)

4.07

Protein (grams)

13.2

Sodium (milligrams)

193.06

Cholesterol (grams)

18.82
tomato basil pasta, spaghetti tomato basil, easy pasta dinner, 15 minute pasta recipes, summer pasta recipes, tomato basil marinara pasta,
pasta recipes, spaghetti recipes, tomato basil recipes, 15 minutes recipes, summer pasta recipes
Italian, American


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More Recipes To Try


Cacio e Pepe

Amatriciana

Rigatoni alla Zozzona

Pasta and Broccoli Aioli

Homemade Orecchiette


tomato , basil and spaghetti pasta


Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2013. It was edited and re-published in 2022.

20 comments

  1. what a wonderful pasta, so fresh and tasty. It's perfect for summer :) Bye, have a great day

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  2. This would make a lovely lunch for me. Love the colour and simplicity of it.

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  3. Yum! I love pasta with mozzarella and tomato. Can I have a big plate full of this?

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  4. Claudia,
    Love your light penne chicken dish with marinara. We have been ahaing Florida weather here, so this would be a perfect light meal for that weather. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Claudia,
    I love the penne, chicken with marinara sauce, so light and tasty, prefect for hot weather.

    HAve a great weekend.

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  6. Love all the summery, fresh flavors in this recipe...my daughter would love it sans chicken, as well as the rest of the family! YUM.

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  7. Dear Claudia, I love how fresh, light, and delicious this is! It is a perfect dish for the summer. Blessings dear one, your friend, Catherine xoxo

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  8. hey quanti colori! This is such a beautiful dish with all those colours. It looks so typical Italian!

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  9. Fresh fresh and fresh, The perfect summertime meal!

    Great photo, I'm hungry now ;~0

    Hugs

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  10. This is the perfect summer pasta--I recently discovered mini mozzarella balls at the local Costco and they are amazingly tasty and fun to work with.

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  11. I love pasta and this looks delish...

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  12. We really like this recipe. Never knew it was this easy to make. Will be trying without further delay!

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  13. I love meals I can get on the table in 30 minutes. This is one that even my picky eater kids would like!

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  14. Nothing beats Italian simplicity at its beast! Lovely pasta dish with just a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes from start to finish! Just lovely!

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  15. I love a simple and fresh pasta recipe, and this is one of my favorites! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

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  16. One of my favorite pasta combo. Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. looks very good but Bev would never go for it as she like her pasta swimming in sauce.

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia