Tantalizing Tomato and Basil Leaf Pasta Delight

Ingredients

- 8 large tomatoes, ripe
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons capers (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomatoes:
- Start by blanching the tomatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove.
- Cut a small "X" on the bottom of each tomato.
- Submerge them in boiling water for about 1 minute or until you see the skin peeling away.
- Remove and transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of ice water to cool quickly.
- Peel the skins and dice the tomatoes. Set aside.

2. Cook the Spaghetti:
- In the same pot, add a generous amount of salted water and bring to a boil.
- Add 12 ounces of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.

3. Sauté Garlic:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but not browned.

4. Create the Sauce:
- Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet.
- Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
- Stir and let it simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

5. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the tomato sauce.
- Toss gently to coat the pasta with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- Stir in fresh basil leaves, capers, and lemon zest. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until everything is well combined.

6. Serve:
- Transfer the pasta to a serving platter or individual bowls.
- Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with additional fresh basil leaves.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes

- Cooking Time: PT25M
25 minutes

Total Time

- PT40M
40 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Tomato Basil Pasta
- Easy Dinner Recipe
- Fresh Tomato Sauce
- Homemade Pasta Dish
- Stove-top Recipe
- Vegetarian Main Course
- Quick Italian Dinner
- Flavorful Pasta Dish
- One-Pot Pasta Meal
- Summer Tomato Recipe

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- Total: 1,200 calories

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