Tomato Garlic Pasta
A simple yet deeply comforting tomato garlic pasta made with pantry staples. This easy pasta recipe delivers rich tomato flavor, gently cooked garlic, and a light olive oil sauce that feels cozy, balanced, and satisfying—perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta linguine, penne, or rigatoni
- Water for boiling
- Salt for pasta water
Tomato Garlic Sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic thinly sliced or minced
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra olive oil for finishing
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add garlic and cook gently for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Do not brown.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir and simmer for 8–10 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta directly to the sauce and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Remove from heat and finish with herbs, Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use medium-low heat for garlic to avoid bitterness.
- For a richer sauce, add 1 tablespoon butter at the end.
- For a creamy version, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or mascarpone.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 12gFat: 14g
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