Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta
User Reviews
5
Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta
Description
The Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta features a sauce made by sautéing pressed garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil until nearly golden, then incorporating sliced mushrooms and fresh herbs such as basil and spinach. This mixture is combined shortly with both canned diced tomatoes and fresh Roma tomatoes to develop a layered tomato flavor. The cooked pasta is then gently folded into this sauce on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld without drying the noodles out.
The red pepper flakes provide a steady warmth balanced by the refreshing green herbs, and the mushrooms contribute a subtle earthiness and texture contrast. The sauce is moderately thick but can be adjusted with reserved pasta water for a looser consistency. Cooking the sauce while the pasta boils ensures everything comes together quickly and the pasta finishes cooking slightly in the sauce for ideal doneness and flavor absorption.
This pasta serves well as a vegetarian main dish and can be enhanced with extra fresh basil and optionally vegan parmesan or cheese alternatives just before serving. It complements simple sides or a green salad for a full meal.
For best results, salt pasta water well and follow al dente cooking times, reducing cook time when needed since the pasta will finish in the sauce. Avoid letting drained pasta sit before mixing into the sauce to prevent stickiness or drying.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta of choice
- 2 Tablespoons garlic pressed
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mushroom sliced
- ½ cup basil sliced into shreds, fresh
- ½ cup spinach sliced into shreds
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes canned
- 3-5 Roma tomato deseeded and diced
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in oil on medium-high heat until almost golden.
- Add mushrooms and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add basil and spinach, sauté for another minute or so.
- Add canned tomatoes, stir, and heat for about a minute. Add fresh tomatoes, stir, and heat through for about a minute. Turn the heat low until ready to serve and gently mix the pasta in the sauce.
Notes
- Cook the sauce while the pasta boils to align timing and freshness.
- Add hot drained pasta immediately to the sauce to prevent drying and stickiness.
- Follow pasta brand’s al dente instructions or reduce cooking time slightly because pasta continues cooking in the sauce.
- Always use salted boiling water for cooking pasta to enhance flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if a saucier texture is preferred.
- Finish with fresh basil and vegan parmesan for added flavor if desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 583 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 583kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 95g | 32% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 3mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 434mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 683mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1166IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 81mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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