Easy tomato pasta doesn’t have to be boring-
Made with fresh, simple ingredients, this easy tomato pasta is full of flavor.
Who doesn’t love a simple yet flavorful pasta dish?
This easy tomato pasta recipe comes together in just 20 minutes with fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil. It’s everything you want in a quick, comforting meal—simple, flavorful, and satisfying. No need for complicated sauces or ingredients—just the essentials that really shine. Plus, it’s a perfect base for adding your favorite extras or keeping it minimal. Let’s dive in!
Why This Easy Tomato Pasta Will Be Your New Go-To Recipe
This easy tomato pasta is perfect for busy days, and here’s why:
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, butter, and pasta create a rich, flavorful dish with just a few simple ingredients.
- Quick and Simple: Ready in 20 minutes—ideal for a fast, satisfying meal.
- No Heavy Sauces: The pasta water and butter naturally create a creamy tomato pasta sauce without cream—it’s rich and satisfying with no heaviness.
- Customizable: Add extras like olives or chili flakes to make it your own.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor
This easy tomato pasta recipe relies on just a few key ingredients—ripe cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, butter, good quality olive oil, and Parmesan cheese—to create a tomato pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes that’s packed with flavor. The simplicity of the recipe lets the natural sweetness of the tomatoes shine through, while the butter and pasta water come together to make a creamy, velvety sauce. By using high-quality ingredients, you don’t need a long list of extras to make a tomato pasta that’s both vibrant and satisfying.
Key Ingredients:
- Cherry Tomatoes: Use ripe ones so they add natural sweetness and juiciness to the dish.
- Olive Oil: Always use good quality olive oil, especially in a dish like this, where there are minimal ingredients and the olive oil really acts like one of them, playing an important role in the flavor.
- Garlic: Always use fresh garlic. It brings the most aromatic, delicious flavor to this sauce.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a fragrant, delicious Italian note that elevates the dish and pairs perfectly with tomatoes.
- Butter: Optional, but helps create a rich texture that binds the sauce beautifully. It makes this pasta sauce feel luxurious and special, without any fuss.
- Parmesan Cheese: Acts as a seasoning, adding a touch of salty, umami goodness to complete the sauce. This is not a cheesy pasta, but the Parmesan really ties everything together.
How to Make It Kid-Friendly
If you want to make this easy tomato pasta recipe more kid-friendly, here’s a simple trick:
- Blend the cherry tomatoes: After they soften in the sauce, blend them to create a smooth, creamy tomato pasta sauce. This eliminates the texture of the skins that some kids may not enjoy.
- Add the basil and butter: Blend in the fresh basil and butter for a silky, velvety finish. This adds richness without being overwhelming.
- Smooth texture, same flavor: The result is a creamy, easy tomato pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil, just as delicious but with a kid-friendly texture!
This simple tweak makes the dish creamy and smooth while still maintaining the vibrant, fresh flavor of the original recipe.
Whether you leave the sauce chunky or blend it, this is an easy tomato pasta with tomato sauce that’s smooth, bright, and full of flavor.
How to Make Perfect Pasta Every Time
- Use the Right Pasta: Choose high-quality pasta to ensure perfect results every time. I recommend Rummo or La Molisana pasta—these pastas hold their shape well and soak up the sauce perfectly.
- Salt Your Water Properly: To achieve the perfect pasta dish, salt your water generously—it should be as salty as the sea. Also, make sure your sauce is salty enough, so when they combine, they create the perfect balance of flavors.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook your pasta al dente—tender but with a slight bite. Since we’re finishing it off in the sauce, reduce the cooking time by one to two minutes to avoid overcooking it.
- Pasta Water is Your Friend: The starchy pasta water is essential for thickening your sauce and making it creamy. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, and add it to your sauce as needed.
- Finish the Pasta in the Sauce: Let your pasta soak up the flavors by finishing it off in the sauce. This helps the pasta absorb all that deliciousness and coat each piece perfectly.
Leftovers & Storage
While pasta is best eaten fresh, if you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:
- Refrigeration: Store your easy tomato pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that pasta can get a little softer when reheated.
- Reheating: Reheat with a splash of water to bring it back to life. This helps restore the creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! You can easily make this easy tomato pasta vegan by omitting the butter and parmesan cheese. - Can I add other things to this dish?
Definitely! This dish is incredibly versatile. Feel free to add kalamata olives, cubed fried eggplant and even some chopped artichokes! - Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The tomato sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it and cook your pasta when you’re ready to serve.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this easy tomato pasta, here are a few more pasta recipes you’ll want to try next:
- Pasta with pesto and peas – A bright, flavorful dish made with homemade basil pesto, sweet blanched peas, and a touch of lemon.
- Pistachio pasta recipe – Creamy, nutty, and full of flavor, this unique pasta recipe uses pistachios to make a rich and satisfying sauce.
These recipes are quick to make and packed with flavor — perfect for simple weeknight dinners or when you’re craving something cozy and delicious.
Easy Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 200 grams dried pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
- 35 cherry tomatoes, halved (about 350 grams)
- Salt, to taste
- A few fresh basil leaves
- 2 knobs of butter, to finish (about 20-25 grams total)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Water and salt, for cooking the pasta
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water until 2 minutes less than the time on the package (you’ll finish cooking it in the sauce).
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and sauté gently for 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring gently. They should soften slightly and start to wrinkle, but not collapse.
- Add a pinch of salt to the tomatoes.
- Add the almost-cooked pasta straight from the pot to the pan, along with 2–4 tablespoons of pasta water. Cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes, tossing gently, until the pasta is coated and the sauce is slightly glossy.
- Turn off the heat, then stir in the butter, and torn basil.
- Serve warm with grated Parmesan on top.
What are you wating for?
And there you have it—an easy tomato pasta recipe that’s simple to make but bursting with flavor. The beauty of this dish is in its minimal ingredients and fresh, quality produce, making it a go-to meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner. With just a few tips, you can easily achieve restaurant-quality results every time. Don’t forget to experiment with the sauce, pasta, and add-ins to make this your own!
I’d love to hear how your version turns out—feel free to share your twists and thoughts in the comments below. Enjoy your perfect plate of easy tomato pasta!
