Tomato Pasta

This recipe is a simple, cozy bowl of comfort made with everyday ingredients and very little effort. Tomato pasta is loved because it feels familiar, filling, and calm, the kind of food that works for almost any day of the week. It’s perfect for busy evenings, quiet family meals, or cold nights when you want something warm without thinking too hard. The sauce comes together gently while the pasta cooks, so nothing feels rushed or complicated. I usually start the pot, stir the sauce, and let the kitchen slowly fill with that soft tomato aroma. It’s easy, reliable, and always feels like a good idea.

photo of a plate of cooked pasta tossed in a simpl 1

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This recipe is built around ease and comfort. The flavors are simple but satisfying, making it a safe choice for picky eaters and hungry adults alike. It’s weeknight-friendly because it cooks quickly and doesn’t need special ingredients or tools. Everything is budget-conscious and easy to scale up if you’re feeding more people. Leftovers store well, which makes it freezer-friendly and helpful for meal prep. This tomato pasta fits naturally into everyday cooking, the kind of dish you can repeat without getting bored. It’s cozy, crowd-pleasing, and flexible enough to adjust with whatever vegetables, cheese, or herbs you already have.

photo of a plate of cooked pasta tossed in a simpl

Ingredients

Tip: Short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli hold tomato sauce better.

  • Dry pasta – 12 ounces
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • Onion, finely chopped – 1 medium
  • Garlic cloves, minced – 3
  • Crushed tomatoes – 1½ cups
  • Salt – 1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
  • Dried oregano – 1 teaspoon
  • Red chili flakes – ¼ teaspoon
  • Grated cheese – ½ cup
  • Fresh basil or parsley – 2 tablespoons
photo of the ingredients for tomato pasta neatly a

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until tender but still firm. While it cooks, chop the onion and garlic so everything is ready to use without rushing.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and lightly golden. The smell should be sweet and gentle before you add anything else.

Step 3: Combining Ingredients
Stir in garlic and crushed tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, oregano, and chili flakes. Let the sauce simmer quietly until it thickens slightly and looks smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Finishing & Final Simmer
Drain the pasta and add it straight into the sauce. Toss gently until coated. Let it simmer briefly so the flavors settle, then turn off the heat and add cheese and herbs.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Days

This recipe saves time because the sauce cooks while the pasta boils. There’s no waiting around or complicated timing. It’s easy to double, easy to store, and just as good reheated the next day. Pinterest cooks love meals like this because they can save it now and still feel confident making it later.

Tips & Tricks

  • Salt the water properly: Pasta cooked in plain water can taste bland no matter how good the sauce is. Well-salted water seasons the pasta from the inside and improves the final dish without extra effort.
  • Don’t rush the onions: Cooking onions too fast can leave them sharp. Let them soften slowly so they turn sweet and mellow, giving the sauce a warmer, more balanced base.
  • Keep the simmer gentle: High heat can cause splashing and uneven flavor. A low simmer lets the tomatoes soften and blend smoothly without tasting harsh or raw.
  • Use pasta water if needed: A small splash of reserved pasta water can loosen thick sauce and help it cling better to the pasta.

Variations

Meaty Version
Add cooked ground chicken or beef after the onions soften. Let it brown fully before adding tomatoes. This makes the dish more filling while keeping the same simple cooking steps.

Vegetarian Option
Stir in mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach during the sauce step. They cook quickly and add texture and color without making the recipe more complicated.

Ingredient Swap
Use canned tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes if that’s what you have. Adjust the salt slightly since sauces vary, keeping the recipe flexible and pantry-friendly.

Flavor or Herb Boost
Add a pinch of dried basil or a small splash of cream at the end. These changes gently shift the flavor while keeping the dish comforting and familiar.

Serving Suggestions

  • Family-style bowls: Serve warm in wide bowls with extra cheese on top for a relaxed, cozy dinner everyone can share.
  • With garlic bread: Pair with toasted bread for dipping into leftover sauce, making the meal feel more complete with minimal effort.
  • Simple side salad: A light salad adds freshness and balance, especially for everyday family meals.
  • Lunch leftovers: Pack leftovers for the next day. They reheat well and still taste comforting and filling.

Storage Instructions

  • Fridge storage: Let the pasta cool completely before storing. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days to maintain texture and flavor.
  • Reheating: Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a small splash of water or sauce. This helps prevent dryness and warms it evenly.
  • Freezing: Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating slowly.
  • Make-ahead tips: You can prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it. Cook fresh pasta when ready to serve for best results.

Recipe Timing

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Rest Time: Not applicable
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Information

Each serving contains about 350–450 calories, depending on portion size and cheese used. Protein ranges from 10–15 grams per serving. The dish also provides carbohydrates for energy and small amounts of calcium from cheese. Nutrition values are estimates and may vary by ingredients and portions.

FAQs

Yes, the sauce can be made ahead.

Overcooking the pasta.

Yes, tomato sauce works fine.

It simmered too long or needs liquid.

Up to four days when stored properly.

Conclusion

This tomato pasta recipe is meant for everyday life, not special occasions or complicated plans. It’s easy to adjust, easy to repeat, and forgiving if you change ingredients based on what’s available. You can keep it simple or add small extras over time without losing its comfort. It works for quiet dinners, shared family meals, and leftover lunches the next day. Save it, come back to it, and make it your own. When you want something warm and familiar that doesn’t demand much, this is the kind of recipe that fits right in.

Tomato Pasta
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Tomato Pasta

Recipe by Edan SalamonCourse: Pasta Recipes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Calories

400

kcal

A simple pasta with a cozy tomato sauce.
Easy to cook, comforting to eat, and perfect for busy days.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz dry pasta

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1½ cups crushed tomatoes

  • 1 tsp salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • ¼ tsp chili flakes

  • ½ cup grated cheese

  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs

Directions

  • Boil pasta in salted water until tender. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan. Cook onion until soft and lightly golden.
  • Add garlic, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer gently.
  • Add pasta to sauce. Mix well and finish with cheese and herbs.

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