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This quick and easy spicy tomato basil pasta uses wholesome ingredients and is a wonderful blend of spicy, savory, and fresh flavors! It is a perfect budget-friendly, nutritious lunch or dinner dish to keep in the meal plan rotation!
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Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love this Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
- Ingredients for Spicy Tomato Pasta
- How to Make Tomato Basil Pasta
- Toni’s Tips for Spicy Tomato Pasta
- FAQs for Tomato Basil Pasta
- Serving Suggestions for Tomato Basil Pasta
- Storage Instructions for Spicy Tomato Pasta
- More Vegan Pasta Dishes to Consider
- Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
Why You’ll Love this Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
This super simple but deliciously savory vegan pasta dish can be made in less than 25 minutes using only one pan! Fresh and canned tomatoes combine with umami-rich mushrooms, fresh greens, and aromatic herbs for a hearty, flavorful sauce. An optional kick of red pepper flakes takes it up a notch and makes this dish stand out as a crowd-pleaser. This nutrient-rich pasta can be enjoyed as a meal on its own or served alongside an entree. It would also be divine served with foccacia bread on the side!
Plus, this budget-friendly meal is so versatile! You can make it kid-friendly by omitting the red pepper flakes and replacing them with other herbs like thyme, oregano, and parsley. You can use gluten-free pasta to make this dish allergen-free. You can even add some vegan meatballs for a dinner your kids can’t resist!
Ingredients for Spicy Tomato Pasta
How to Make Tomato Basil Pasta
Step 1: First, cook the pasta. Make sure to follow the package instructions when cooking. Meanwhile, using a large pan, heat olive oil on medium-high, add the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until garlic bits are almost golden.
Step 2: Next, add the mushrooms and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Then add the basil and spinach. Saute for one more minute until leaves are limp.
Step 3: Next, add canned tomatoes, stir and let them cook for a minute. Then add the fresh tomatoes and cook for a minute more. Finally, turn heat to low and toss the cooked pasta into the sauce. Once combined, remove from heat and serve.
Toni’s Tips for Spicy Tomato Pasta
- Cook the sauce while the pasta is boiling. It is always best to add the pasta into the sauce freshly drained instead of keeping it in the colander for a long time. Pasta will dry up and become sticky.
- Cook past al dente: Check if your pasta brand has al dente instructions when cooking. Otherwise, reduce 2-3 minutes to the recommended cooking time. The pasta will cook further as you toss it to the pan with the hot sauce.
- Always cook your pasta in salted water. And make sure that the water is on a rolling boil before adding your pasta, otherwise, they will lump together and turn mushy.
- If you like your pasta saucier: reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and add it in small splashes until you get the right thickness.
- Garnish! Sprinkle the pasta with more fresh basil and vegan parmesan before serving to make it even more flavorful!
FAQs for Tomato Basil Pasta
No. That is only usually done when making pasta salad or cold pasta. So in this case, all you need to do it rinse and set aside until the sauce is ready.
This happens when you add oil to the cooked pasta. The noodles become less starchy so the sauce will not cling as much. If this happens, adding some pasta water will help.
Absolutely! You can even roast them beforehand to add a smoky flavor to the pasta.
Serving Suggestions for Tomato Basil Pasta
- Simple Salad: Pair with a salad like a vegan Caesar salad, strawberry kale salad, or roasted beet and kale salad.
- Bread: To soak up the hearty sauce! Vegan garlic bread, vegan focaccia, or vegan dinner rolls are all great options.
- ‘Meat’balls: Kids and adults alike love meatballs with pasta! Choose from black bean meatballs, mushroom red lentil meatballs, or vegan lentil meatballs.
- Protein: Tofu or tempeh (crispy, marinated, kabobs, etc.) or vegan meat alternatives (i.e., vegan chicken, plant-based shrimp, vegan fish, etc.)
- Steamed, roasted, or grilled vegetables: Like broccoli (I love oven-charred broccoli), sauteed asparagus with lemon, green beans, etc.
Storage Instructions for Spicy Tomato Pasta
Any leftovers should be cooled down completely before storing.
Fridge: Once it has cooled down, place in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Consume within two to three days.
Make Ahead: If you are making this dish ahead of time, store the pasta and tomato sauce separately for longer storage life.
More Vegan Pasta Dishes to Consider
Vegan Dinners
Creamy Curry Pasta (Vegan)
Vegan Dinners
Amazing Avocado Pesto Pasta
Vegan Dinners
20-Minute Creamy Tahini Pasta
Vegan Dinners
Red Pesto Pasta
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Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta
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Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta of choice
- 2 Tablespoons of pressed garlic
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 3 Tablespoons of olive oil
- 8 ounces of mushrooms sliced
- ½ cup of fresh basil sliced into shreds
- ½ cup of spinach sliced into shreds
- 14.5 ounces of canned diced tomatoes
- 3-5 Roma tomatoes deseeded and diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in oil on medium-high heat until almost golden.
- Add mushrooms and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add basil and spinach, sauté for another minute or so.
- Add canned tomatoes, stir, and heat for about a minute. Add fresh tomatoes, stir, and heat through for about a minute. Turn the heat low until ready to serve and gently mix the pasta in the sauce.
Notes
- Cook the sauce while the pasta is boiling. It is always best to add the pasta into the sauce freshly drained instead of keeping it in the colander for a long time. Pasta will dry up and become sticky.
- Cook past al dente: Check if your pasta brand has al dente instructions when cooking. Otherwise, reduce 2-3 minutes to the recommended cooking time. The pasta will cook further as you toss it to the pan with the hot sauce.
- Always cook your pasta in salted water. And make sure that the water is on a rolling boil before adding your pasta, otherwise, they will lump together and turn mushy.
- If you like your pasta saucier: reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and add it in small splashes until you get the right thickness.
- Garnish! Sprinkle the pasta with more fresh basil and vegan parmesan before serving to make it even more flavorful!
Thoughts on making this a one-pot meal, i.e., cooking the pasta in the same pan?
Hi! We on the PBOAB team haven’t tried that method out yet so can’t guarantee the results. If you end up giving it a try, please let us know how it goes 🙂
this is the perfect spicy tomato pasta ever
It’s a great one! So delicious!
Yum! I cannot wait to try. I love spicy pasta.
It’s full of spicy flavors!
A totally great way to enjoy pasta!
Yes! Nothing like a big bowl of this pasta to settle down the day with!
Love this! Simple and quick meal!
The simple ones are always the best!
I make this all the time! Such a great go-to dinner 🙂
Niceee! It’s such a great quick pasta to whip up!
I love any good spicy tomato based pasta! Yum yum yum
Nothing like a yummy pasta for a wholesome meal!
My hubby is a huge basil fan. He’s going to love this recipe!
Yay! Hope you guys enjoy it 🙂
So simple and delicious! Love a good pasta recipe!