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Classic Pasta Pomodoro

A timeless Italian pasta recipe with fresh tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
Sauce
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lb tomatoes chopped or 28 oz crushed canned
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tsp sugar optional
  • 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves torn
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add chopped or crushed tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  4. Stir in fresh basil leaves. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
  5. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let cook 1–2 minutes to absorb flavors.
  6. Plate pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Garnish with extra basil leaves. Serve hot.

Notes

Use fresh ripe tomatoes for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce.