Tomato Basil Pasta is an easy weeknight meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes! Fresh basil, tomatoes, Parmesan and pasta create an easy pasta recipe for lunch or dinner.
Pasta dinners are the perfect weeknight meal! This tomato basil pasta is an easy yet impressive dinner recipe made in only 30 minutes.
Instead of chunks of cherry tomatoes, this recipe uses crushed tomatoes to make a quick homemade tomato sauce. Serve the sauce with pasta, fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. It’s quick, easy and great for the entire family!
If you’re looking for other delicious pasta recipes, try this Cream Cheese Pasta and Spaghetti Arrabbiata!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta
- It’s quick and easy and great for busy weeknights!
- You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
- It’s the perfect family dinner – kids and adults love it!
Ingredients You Need
You probably already have all of the ingredients available in your kitchen. This is a great option when you don’t know what else to make for dinner. You can find everything at your local grocery store.
- Pasta: I like to use penne pasta, but you can use any type of pasta noodles for this recipe. You can even use gluten free pasta noodles.
- Crushed Tomatoes: If you can’t find crushed tomatoes, you can use puree diced tomatoes. Puree the tomatoes in a food processor before using.
- Minced Garlic: Mince fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Tomato Paste: This helps bring the sauce together.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For best results, use a high quality olive oil.
- Dry White Wine: The white wine helps create the delicious flavor, but you can substitute with chicken broth, if desired.
- Heavy Cream: Adds delicious flavor and creates a creamier sauce.
- Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Fresh sweet basil is always best.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a kick of heat, add the red pepper flakes. You can add more of less, depending on your taste.
How to Make Tomato Basil Pasta
If you’re looking for an easy recipe, this is it! The sauce comes together in one pan while you cook the pasta in another.
- Start the sauce – Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan or large skillet until the oil shimmers. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste, red pepper flakes and crushed tomatoes. Cook for one minute, while stirring. Add the wine and cook, until 3/4 of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, partially cover and cook, until the sauce is thickened, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cook the pasta – While the sauce is cooking, cook the pasta in a large pot until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Finish the sauce – Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Add a splash of water, if necessary to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve – Stir in the basil and serve with additional Parmesan cheese. You can serve this pasta sauce with any type of pasta. We love serving it with penne pasta, but you can use any of your favorite pasta noodles.
Tortellini pasta, spaghetti and gnocchi pasta all taste great with the homemade tomato basil sauce. We also love serving this easy tomato basil pasta with a fresh garden salad!
Recipe Tips
- Add veggies: Mix in fresh spinach, zucchini, asparagus, diced onions or cooked mushrooms to the tomato and basil pasta.
- Add protein: To make this dish more filling, add extra protein. Cooked chicken or shrimp are a great addition to this pasta.
- Make this pasta gluten free: Simply swap out the noodles for gluten free pasta. Any size or shape works great.
- Make this recipe dairy free: You can omit the heavy cream and thin out the sauce by adding more pasta water. You can use a dairy free Parmesan cheese.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you are freezing this recipe, I recommend freezing the sauce separately in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat before mixing in with cooked pasta.
Other 30 Minute Meals
If you love easy dinner recipes, then you’re going to love these delicious meals made in under 30 minutes!
- Spinach and Ricotta Pasta
- Shrimp Lo Mein
- Creamy Tortellini Skillet
- Chicken Sausage with Roasted Vegetables
Did you try this creamy Tomato Basil Pasta recipe? Leave a recipe rating and review below.
Tomato Basil Pasta (Quick and Easy)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 pound pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ground black pepper
- salt
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat oil until it starts to shimmer. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and crushed tomatoes. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
- Add wine and cook, stirring frequently, until about 3/4 of liquid has evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Stir in cream and parmesan cheese to the sauce. Add more water, if necessary to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add sauce to cooked pasta. Stir in basil and serve with additional parmesan cheese.
I made this last night for dinner and it was delicious! This will definitely be a regular meal for us. It was inexpensive and quick to make, once I figured out what in the world dry wine was 😅
Great Recipe! Easy and a family favorite! Have made it numerous times.
I left out the white wine and used jar pasta sauce. Still turned out great and was super easy.