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.
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.
Additions and Suggestions
- sauteed mushrooms
- cooked mini meatballs
- 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, meat sauce lightly tossed into the basic recipe with pasta
- deli meats chopped
- pepperoni slices
Pasta Suggestions
- rigatoni
- bowties
- mostaccioli
- fusilli
- seashells
- spaghetti
- 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 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
Yield: 6
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
- Cook pasta, as per package instructions until al dente.
- Slice the tomatoes in half and add them to a medium-sized bowl.
- Fold in the fresh basil with olive oil, finely minced garlic, and balsamic vinegar
- Add some salt and pepper to taste and stir together.
- Place the drained pasta with HOT pasta water in a large clean serving bowl.
- 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.
- Serve immediately with additional freshly grated Parmesan.
Notes
Pasta Suggestions
- rigatoni
- bowties
- mostaccioli
- fusilli
- seashells
- spaghetti
- 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
404.59Fat (grams)
11.97Sat. Fat (grams)
4.7Carbs (grams)
60.29Fiber (grams)
3.02Net carbs
57.27Sugar (grams)
4.07Protein (grams)
13.2Sodium (milligrams)
193.06Cholesterol (grams)
18.82
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More Recipes To Try
Cacio e Pepe
Amatriciana
Rigatoni alla Zozzona
Pasta and Broccoli Aioli
Homemade Orecchiette
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2013. It was edited and re-published in 2022.