Fresh Tomatoes Pasta
Looking for a quick and flavorful pasta dish? This Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes recipe is your answer! Bursting with the sweetness of cherry tomatoes and the aroma of fresh basil, this simple yet delicious meal is perfect for those days when you’re craving carbs but want to keep it light and healthy.
Italian name: Pasta con pomodoro fresco [‘pasta al pomoˈdɔro ‘fresko]
Feeling like carbs? This quick and tasty recipe is here to surprise you with its freshness and sweetness. Onions and cherry tomatoes go hand in hand, creating a very successful marriage that is often praised in Italian cuisine.
It will only take a few minutes to prepare the sauce to season your pasta. While the water boils and the pasta cooks, you will be able to have everything ready!
Why It’s Worth a Spot on Your Table
This recipe is one of the many ways in which you can use tomatoes to season your pasta. The very good thing about this one, is that you will need very few ingredients and even less time. So, it is perfect if you are feeling lazy or are in a hurry, but don’t want to give up of cozyness and freshness.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this vegan fresh tomatoes pasta is a go-to option for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner. Pair it with your favorite homemade pasta for an extra touch of Italian authenticity!
Ingredients
Ingredients for 4 servings
- 12 oz pasta (400 gr)
- Extra virgin olive oil (about ¼ cup, but don’t be shy with it!)
- ½ onion
- 14 oz fresh small tomatoes (400 gr)
- Fresh basil
- Salt
- Pepper (optional)
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Pasta
You can choose any kind of pasta you like to prepare this recipe. I really enjoy it with long-shaped pasta such as spaghetti or linguine (my absolute fav), but if you prefer short pasta I suggest something that really gathers the sauce, for example orecchiette or paccheri, so that cherry tomatoes will really hug the pasta.
I used some fresh homemade pasta that I prepared from scratch, if you want to try it out you can find the recipe here.
Tomatoes
For this recipe we will need some pretty tasty tomatoes, so make sure to have fresh little tomatoes at home, such as cherry tomatoes, pear tomatoes or grape tomatoes. If you want to give an original twist to the recipe, you can mix different kinds of tomatoes, and also add some yellow ones!
Tips
- As often happens, the less the ingredients, the fresher they should be in order to have a tasty result. Make sure that you use high-quality products to prepare this pasta with fresh tomatoes!
- Oil is crucial in this recipe, so don’t be shy, you will need quite a lot to make sure your pasta will not end up being sticky. We want a jucy texture, the result should make you feel worried about staining your shirt.
- Be careful, as the sauce for this fresh tomatoes pasta has a really short cooking time. Tomatoes and onions should still be a little bit crispy, reserving their freshness.
- As always, be careful with pasta cooking time! While the recommended time is usually on the package, it’s always a good idea to taste it to avoid overcooking. Once the salted water is boiling, add the pasta and set a timer. If the package says 11 minutes, start tasting around the 9-minute mark. Sometimes, it can be ready a little earlier or later—usually, just a difference of 1 or 2 minutes.
- Last but not least, if you are preparing long pasta do not break it (please). Simply add it to the pot and gently press it, it will fold to fit the pot perfectly. Also, remember to mix it quite often, as there is the risk that it sticks to the bottom of the pot.
Step by Step Recipe
- First, put enough water on to boil and forget about it for some time.
- Cut the onion in half and then in slices, add a generous quantity of oil to a pan and splash the onion in it. Then, wash and cut the tomatoes in pieces and leave them aside.
- Now turn the heat on in order for the onions to brown, and then add the tomatoes,the basil, and enough salt. It will be a matter of five minutes, and when the tomatoes will be a little bit soft, turn the heat off and check if the water for the pasta is boiling.
- Once the water boils, add the salt, and wait for it to boil again, then add the pasta. Be careful with the cooking time and mix it from time to time.
- When the time comes, drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Mix it well, add some pepper if you want and then serve it with a beautiful leaf of basil on top.
Are you looking for other vegan delicacies? I got you!
Recipe Card
Fresh Tomatoes Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (400 gr)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ onion
- 14 oz small tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Salt
- Pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Put enough water on to boil.
- Cut the onion in half and then in slices, add a generous quantity of oil to a pan and add the onion.
- Wash and cut the tomatoes in pieces.
- Let the onion brown until golden, and then add the tomatoes,the basil, and enough salt. When the tomatoes are a little bit soft, turn the heat off and leave the sauce aside.
- When the water boils, add the salt, and wait for it to boil again, then add the pasta. Be careful with the cooking time and mix it from time to time.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Mix it well, add some pepper if you want and then serve it.
May I tempt you? Here you can find other Italian recipes!
FAQs
Can I make it gluten free?
Sure! You can use your favorite kind of gluten free pasta! If you want to give it a kick of protein, you can also use chickpeas or lentil pasta.
Can I use any kind of tomato?
As we mentioned, there are different kinds of tomatoes. I suggested you use small ones because they are jucy and tasty, but you can also pick bigger varieties like plum tomatoes or globe tomatoes. I would completely avoid tomatoes that are usually used for salads, such as heirloom tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes, as they have a more delicate falvor and also release more water when cooked.
Did I forget something? Don’t be shy and ask in the comments!
