Description
Easy One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta Dinner is your answer for a quick, flavorful meal. Enjoy comforting taste & minimal cleanup tonight!
Ingredients
- Pasta & Produce:
- Penne or Rotini (12 oz / 340g)
- Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz / 794g can)
- Yellow Onion (1 small, diced)
- Garlic (4-5 cloves, minced)
- Fresh Basil (1/2 cup, chopped)
- Flavor Foundations:
- Vegetable Broth (4 cups / 960ml)
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp)
- Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 tsp, optional)
- Dairy & Finishing Touches:
- Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup, grated)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics:: Grab your biggest pot or Dutch oven, drizzle in the olive oil, and get it warm over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Stir them around until they’re soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. You want them translucent, not browned—that’s where the sweetness comes from. Honestly, this is where the magic starts for our Easy One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta Dinner, filling your kitchen with the most amazing smells.
- Combine Everything:: Now for the fun part: add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, uncooked pasta, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them) to the pot. Give it a good stir to make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. This might look like a lot, but trust the process! I didn’t expect it to work so well the first time, but it truly does. Just make sure everything is cozy in there.
- Simmer and Stir:: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. This is where I always forget to stir, but please don’t be like me! Stir every couple of minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom or clumping together. It’s a game-changer, really.
- Check for Doneness:: After about 10 minutes, take a peek and taste a piece of pasta. It should be tender but still have a slight bite (al dente). If it’s too firm, add a splash more broth or water and let it simmer for another minute or two, uncovered, until it reaches your desired texture. This is crucial for a truly satisfying Easy One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta Dinner.
- Stir in Freshness:: Once the pasta is perfectly cooked and the sauce has thickened beautifully, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in half of your fresh chopped basil and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. The basil will wilt into the warm sauce, releasing its incredible aroma. It’s truly a moment of pure culinary bliss, honestly.
- Serve and Garnish:: Ladle generous portions of your Easy One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta Dinner into bowls. Garnish with the remaining fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. A little extra drizzle of good olive oil never hurts either! Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. It should look vibrant, smell divine, and taste like pure comfort.