Fresh tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and tender pasta make a delicious combination without requiring an elaborate sauce or complicated preparation.

This tomato and garlic pasta brings these everyday ingredients together in a light, comforting dish that allows the natural flavour of ripe tomatoes to take centre stage.

Ingredients

Serves 4

2 pounds tomatoes

1 package (8 ounces) angel hair pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Salt to taste

Ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Place the whole tomatoes in a large saucepan and cover them with cold water. Heat until the water just reaches boiling point, then drain immediately.

2. Cover the tomatoes with cold water again. Once they are cool enough to handle, remove their skins and chop the flesh into small pieces.

3. Bring a separate large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook for approximately four to five minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly firm.

4. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic and cook gently until softened and fragrant, taking care not to let it turn brown.

5. Stir in the tomato paste, followed immediately by the chopped tomatoes. Season with salt and ground black pepper, then reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently.

6. Add the chopped fresh basil near the end of the sauce's cooking time. Stir to distribute it throughout the tomatoes.

7. Drain the pasta once it is ready, without rinsing it under cold water. Toss the strands with a little olive oil to help prevent them from sticking together.

8. Transfer the drained pasta into the tomato mixture and toss until the strands are evenly coated.

9. Lower the heat as much as possible and leave the uncovered pasta gently warming for approximately 10 minutes before serving.

10. Divide the pasta between serving plates and finish with a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese.

Ways to Adjust the Recipe

One appealing feature of this dish is how easily it can accommodate a few vegetable additions. Sliced mushrooms can be cooked with the garlic before the tomatoes are added, giving the sauce a deeper savoury character. Thinly cut zucchini is another suitable option and can be mixed into the tomato mixture as it cooks. You can also adjust the amount of garlic to suit your preference. The listed quantity gives the sauce a noticeable savoury flavour, while using slightly less creates a gentler result.

Fresh basil is best added toward the end of cooking so its aroma remains noticeable. If the sauce becomes thicker than expected, a small amount of the pasta cooking water can help loosen it. Add gradually and stir until the consistency is suitable for coating the delicate strands.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

Serve the pasta while warm, with Parmesan sprinkled over the top. A simple green salad makes a refreshing accompaniment, while slices of crusty bread can be served alongside the meal. For the best texture, enjoy the dish shortly after preparation. If there are leftovers, place them in a covered container in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before eating. The pasta may soften slightly after refrigeration, but the tomato and garlic flavours will still make a pleasant meal.

This tomato and garlic pasta shows how a handful of familiar ingredients can create a satisfying homemade dish. Fresh tomatoes provide the main flavour, garlic adds savouriness, and basil brings a fresh finish.