• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hello Little Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces + Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Kitchen Tips
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • DIY
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty + Style
    • Blogging
    • Health + Fitness
    • Holidays
    • Party Ideas
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • DIY
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe » Main Dish » Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta

    Published Jul 24, 2017 · Updated Feb 3, 2020 by Ginnie · 7 Comments

    Pin
    Share
    Email
    Jump to Recipe

    This easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe is bursting with fresh flavors and is so simple to prepare ... make it tonight!

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe! Make this mouthwatering fresh cherry tomato sauce in minutes, then toss it with hot penne and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese (add fresh mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired sauce) ... perfect for weeknight dinners, as well as entertaining. This simple Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta makes a tasty summer meal your whole family with love! | Hello Little Home

    My husband and I stumbled across a wonderful Italian restaurant, Enoteca Maria, in NYC a few years ago.

    It was my birthday, and Joel had planned the perfect day wandering around the city and seeing the sights from Manhattan to Brooklyn and beyond. We had only lived in New York for a few months at that point, so it felt like an adventure.

    Our last stop was the Staten Island Ferry which has great views of the Statue of Libery and lower Manhattan (plus, it's free!). We'd never been on it before, so it was a fun way to end our day.

    After arriving on Staten Island, we went to look for somewhere to eat, and it was pretty spare pickings. Thankfully, we discovered Enoteca Maria (and this delicious Tomato Basil Pasta!).

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe! Make this mouthwatering fresh cherry tomato sauce in minutes, then toss it with hot penne and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese (add fresh mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired sauce) ... perfect for weeknight dinners, as well as entertaining. This simple Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta makes a tasty summer meal your whole family with love! | Hello Little Home

    Easy Tomato Basil Pasta

    Enoteca Maria was such a sweet surprise!

    The food, which is cooked by a rotating crew of Italian grandmothers (!), was amazing, and the restaurant had a warm and wonderful atmosphere. They made us feel like family.

    We didn't get to Staten Island very often when we lived in NYC, but somehow, it became a birthday tradition to eat at Enoteca Maria. I've enjoyed every meal we've eaten there, but one of my favorites included the a delicious bowl of pasta that inspired this easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta!

    I first shared this tasty recipe for Tomato Basil Pasta a couple years ago. It's so perfect for summer though, that I had to share it again!

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe! Make this mouthwatering fresh cherry tomato sauce in minutes, then toss it with hot penne and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese (add fresh mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired sauce) ... perfect for weeknight dinners, as well as entertaining. This simple Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta makes a tasty summer meal your whole family with love! | Hello Little Home

    How to Make Tomato and Basil Pasta

    The beauty of this easy pasta recipe lies in its simplicity. It only takes 15 minutes and a few ingredients to make, but you couldn't tell from the flavor!

    Since there are so few components to this quick pasta sauce, you'll want to use the best quality ingredients that you can find.

    I used cherry tomatoes from this homemade tomato basil sauce.  They taste fresher and are sweeter than the hothouse tomatoes you'll find at most grocery stores, even if you're making this recipe in the dead of winter.

    If you have access to garden (or farmers market) fresh tomatoes this summer, you can use them to replace the cherry tomatoes. Your pasta will taste even more fresh and amazing!

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe! Make this mouthwatering fresh cherry tomato sauce in minutes, then toss it with hot penne and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese (add fresh mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired sauce) ... perfect for weeknight dinners, as well as entertaining. This simple Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta makes a tasty summer meal your whole family with love! | Hello Little Home

    You'll start the sauce by sauteing garlic and red pepper flakes (skip them if you don't like spicy food) in olive oil. Then, you'll add the juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes. Once the tomatoes start to break down, stir in a little broth to create the simple sauce.

    The pasta gets added to the sauce when it's slightly undercooked and finishes cooking in the pan. Cooking pasta this way helps it absorb the delicious flavors of the sauce.

    You'll finish by topping the bowls of cherry tomato pasta with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese ... yum!

    This easy 15 Minute Pasta serves two to three people, but you could easily double the ingredients to serve a larger crowd. Make it tonight ... you're whole family is sure to love it!

     

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe! Make this mouthwatering fresh cherry tomato sauce in minutes, then toss it with hot penne and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese (add fresh mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired sauce) ... perfect for weeknight dinners, as well as entertaining. This simple Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta makes a tasty summer meal your whole family with love! | Hello Little Home
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 1 vote

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta

    This easy 15 minute Tomato Basil Pasta is bursting with fresh, delicious flavors ... make it in minutes!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time15 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 2 to 3 servings
    Calories: 535kcal
    Author: Ginnie

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces mastaccioli or penne pasta
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered (depending on size)
    • 1 cup vegetable broth
    • 6 large basil leaves, thinly sliced
    • Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)*

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add pasta.
    • When pasta has about 5 minutes of cooking time left, heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium.
    • Add garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes to oil; saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
    • Add tomatoes to pan and cook for a couple minutes or until they just begin to break down.
    • Stir broth into tomatoes and simmer.
    • When pasta is almost al dente, drain it and add it to the sauce.
    • Cook pasta in sauce for another minute or so. The pasta will have absorbed some of the liquid from the sauce, and it should be al dente.
    • Remove pasta from heat and season with salt to taste. Stir in basil, reserving a little for garnishing.
    • Serve pasta in bowls, topped with extra basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *Leave off the Parmesan cheese to make this recipe vegan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 535kcal
    Did you make this recipe?I love hearing from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag @HelloLittleHome or #hellolittlehome on Instagram!

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta recipe! Make this mouthwatering fresh cherry tomato sauce in minutes, then toss it with hot penne and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese (add fresh mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired sauce) ... perfect for weeknight dinners, as well as entertaining. This simple Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta makes a tasty summer meal your whole family with love! | Hello Little Home

    Doesn't this easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta make a pretty meal?

    Although it's a great weeknight dinners, the lovely colors and delicious flavor make it perfect for special occasions, too.

    If you liked this tomato basil pasta sauce, make sure to check out my Lemony Chickpea Salad recipe which was also inspired by an Enoteca Maria dish!

    Lemony Chickpea Salad recipe ... a quick, easy vegan side dish that's a wonderful addition to any meal! This simple chickpea salad is bursting with fresh, healthy flavors! Perfect for all your summer BBQs and picnics, and makes a great light meal, too! | Hello Little Home

    What is your favorite quick and easy meal?

    Easy 15 Minute Tomato Basil Pasta
    Pin
    Share
    Email
    « Easy Picnic Ideas for the Perfect Summer Day
    Faves Under $50: Outdoor Decor and Accessories »

    About Ginnie

    Ginnie is the writer, photographer, and chief content creator behind Hello Little Home. She loves trying new things (whether that’s creating delicious vegetarian recipes, exploring a new city, trying a fun DIY project, or sharing a pretty makeup look), and she hopes to inspire you to do the same! Read more about Ginnie here.

    5 from 1 vote
    Subscribe
    Notify of
    Recipe Rating




    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    7 Comments
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    AnnMarie
    7 years ago

    5 stars
    This is my kind of pasta! Looks so good and I love that it's easy. Thanks for the recipe!

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    7 years ago
    Reply to  AnnMarie

    I love an easy pasta recipe, too, AnnMarie! Let me know what you think if you try it.

    0
    Reply
    Paula
    7 years ago

    This sounds like the perfect dish for a summer meal!

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Paula

    The perfect way to use summer tomatoes for sure, Paula! 🙂

    0
    Reply
    Kristy
    10 years ago

    Awesome photos! We'd love it if you'd submit one to JalapenoMania.com!

    0
    Reply
    AnnMarie
    10 years ago

    This sounds so delicious and easy! I love finding new restaurants, especially Italian ones!

    0
    Reply
    Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
    10 years ago

    This looks SO good, Ginnie! Italian grandmothers cooking? I'm putting this on my "go to" restaurant list!

    0
    Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Ginnie Headshot

    Hi, I'm Ginnie! Welcome to Hello Little Home, which is all about inspiring everyday creativity! I'm excited to share my favorite things with you ... vegetarian recipes, travel inspiration, DIY projects, decor ideas, beauty and fashion tips, and more! Read more about me here!

    FOLLOW ALONG

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Newsletter

    Keep up with all things Hello Little Home ... sign up below to receive my weekly newsletter!

    You'll get all my posts delivered straight to your inbox, plus exclusive content just for subscribers.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured By

    A graphic with logos from media outlets Hello Little Home has been featured by, including Martha Stewart, Home Depot, Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, Parade, HGTV, BuzzFeed, and more..

    Information

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    Never miss a post ... Sign Up for our weekly newsletter

    Connect

    • Facebook Icon
    • Pinterest Icon
    • Instagram Icon
    • Twitter Icon
    • YouTube Icon
    • RSS Feed

    Copyright © 2022 Hello Little Home

    wpDiscuz

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.