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Home » Recipes » Tomato Basil Pasta

Tomato Basil Pasta

Published on February 26, 2018, Updated November 6, 2018 by Kristin Maxwell | 9 Comments

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Tomato Basil Pasta is a quick and easy recipe made with tender penne pasta and juicy grape tomatoes. Perfect for lunch or dinner and ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a delicious meal that the whole family will love.

Penne pasta with tomatoes and basil

Penne pasta is my favorite pasta to cook with. It’s hearty, it’s rustic and there is no twirling required. It hold it’s own against some pretty delicious sauces, like this creamy garlic sauce, and it’s amazing in this Tomato Basil Pasta recipe. It’s also easy to pick up out of the pot with your fingers if that’s how you like to do things. No judgement here.

The best, and my personal favorite, penne pasta recipe is this Tomato Basil Penne Pasta. There is no cream or butter, so you can feel good about eating the whole pan. I mean, about eating your portion. It’s super fresh, with a whole pint of sweet tomatoes and loads of fresh basil and garlic. Let’s get cooking, shall we?

Rustic penne pasta with tomato basil sauce

How to Make Tomato Basil Pasta

This pasta recipe starts as most good pasta recipes do – cooking the pasta just right! Bring some water to a boil, then salt it generously. I usually toss in a few good pinches. Measure out about 3 cups of the dry pasta. This doesn’t have to be an exact science, so a little more or a little less won’t hurt. You don’t want the pasta to be cooked all the way, so set your timer for a couple of minutes less than the package calls for. It will finish cooking in the sauce you’re about the make.

Once the pasta is boiling, start on the sauce. Heat some olive oil and saute diced onions and garlic and a little red pepper flakes for heat. Next add the grape tomatoes that have been sliced in half and a handful of chopped basil. The tomatoes will release juices to help create the sauce. After a minute or two the tomatoes will start to blister; at this point you’ll add a ladle-ful of the pasta water straight outta the pot (that’s about 3/4-1 cup of pasta water). The starch that’s released from the pasta as it cooks will help to thicken the tomato basil sauce.

Close up image of tomato basil pasta

Boil the sauce for a minute or two, then add the pasta. If you time it just right, the pasta will be about 3/4 of the way done at this point, but if the pasta is ready sooner, just drain it and set it aside until you’re ready to add it; shouldn’t be more that a couple of minutes.

Once the pasta is added you’ll just continue to let the tomato basil pasta simmer over medium-low heat. The pasta will finish cooking and become nice and tender, with a delicious tomato basil flavor. The tomatoes combined with the garlic, onion and the pasta water will have created a yummy sauce that’s smooth and luxurious and thick enough to coat the penne pasta. The finishing touch is a bit of Parmesan cheese that you can stir in, or just garnish the top with. Make sure to test the seasonings and add more salt and pepper if you like.

A spoonful of penne pasta with tomato basil sauce

Here are some more delicious pasta recipes to try:

  • Penne Pasta Primavera
  • Classic Pasta Carbonara
  • Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
  • Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetable Pasta

Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe:

Tomato Basil Penne Pasta

Kristin Maxwell
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes sliced in half
  • 6-8 leaves fresh basil sliced into thin strips (chiffonade), plus some for garnish
  • Salt & pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese plus some for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne pasta and cook, until about three-quarters of the way done (2 minutes under what's called for on the package. 
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft; about 3 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for 1 minutes before adding the tomatoes and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes just begin to blister, about 2 minutes. Add a ladle full of the pasta water (about ¾-1 cup) and the chopped basil to the tomatoes.
  • Add the pasta to the saute pan and bring to a boil. The liquid will reduce as the pasta finishes to form a sauce; 3-4 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan.
  • Season with salt and garnish with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Tomato Basil Pasta recipe with title text

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About Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook. Read more about Kristin HERE.

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  1. Bill says

    August 28, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    Very good would do it again

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 29, 2020 at 9:32 pm

      Thank you Bill! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  2. Marivi says

    June 30, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    I love this recipe, thank you so much Kristin! My kids hate almost everything I cook, but this they actually ask me for! Your recipe works so well for me because the instructions and cooking method are clear; it leaves me no room for errors. The changes I made, in case it helps anyone else, were to omit the onions and red pepper flakes, add a pinch of sugar with the tomatoes, and double the garlic, tomatoes and basil. I look forward to trying more of your recipes.

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      July 1, 2020 at 11:20 am

      Love it! Thanks for your feedback Marivi!

      Reply
  3. Kathy says

    April 23, 2020 at 6:04 pm

    Great quarantine meal! We sautéed chicken breast first, then added back in when you add the pasta. It was delicious and a bit heartier.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 24, 2020 at 11:31 am

      Nice! Thanks for stopping by Kathy.

      Reply
  4. Ron a Gelok III says

    August 27, 2019 at 3:37 pm

    Super easy and delicious, thanks! My wife and I enjoyed it

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 31, 2019 at 10:51 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Ellen Scott says

    March 12, 2018 at 6:09 am

    I love penne too! Look so delicious!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m KRISTIN!

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