Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta

This quick and easy Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta will fill you up nicely with its wholesome ingredients and its perfect blend of spicy, savory, and fresh flavors! It is the perfect lunch or dinner dish that uses nutritious, budget-friendly ingredients that can be made gluten-free too. This simple tomato-based pasta is so mouthwateringly good, you will find yourself making it part of your weekly meal routine. 

Pasta dishes are our go-to when in need of quick yet filling meals. And this Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta is on the top of our list when we crave a comforting, belly-filling dish with some kick into it! With plenty of fresh greens, plump tomatoes, and tender mushrooms, this all-in-one healthy dish is a great way to get some veggies into your regular diet. 

Why make Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta?

• This vegan dish can be made in less than 25 minutes using one pan only! It is a simple dish that is big on flavors and heavy on the tummy. 
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish allergen-free. 
• This carb-happy and nutrient-rich dish can be enjoyed as a meal on its own or can be served as a side with fried or grilled entrees. It will also go great served with Foccacia Bread or Free Formed Bread on the side. 
• You can make it kid-friendly by omitting the red pepper flakes and replacing them with other herbs like thyme, oregano, and parsley. Add some Vegan meatballs and your kids won’t be able to resist this dish!  

Ingredients Used 

• Pasta of choice – We used penne pasta but feel free to use any short or long pasta that you have. You can use spaghetti, rigatoni, ziti, linguine, fettuccine, angel hair or fusilli. Check out these 20 Easy Vegan Pasta Recipes for more delicious options! 
• Garlic – Freshly pressed to give the dish a sharp and savory base!
• Red pepper flakes – Give the pasta a punch of heat! You can add more if you like it spicier. 
• Olive oil – For sauteeing. 
• Mushrooms – You can use sliced white, brown, or button mushrooms for this recipe. Other options are baby Bella and cremini. 
• Greens – We used basil and spinach to give the pasta dish a fresh taste, irresistible aroma, and tons of vitamins too! You can also use other greens like arugula, oregano, and collard greens. 
• Tomatoes – We used both canned diced tomatoes and fresh Roma tomatoes for a savory and umami-filled sauce! 
• Salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make  Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta

1) Cook the pasta. Make sure to follow the package instructions when cooking. 

2) 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. 

3) 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. 

4) Add canned tomatoes, stir and let them cook for a minute. Then add the fresh tomatoes and cook for a minute more. Turn heat to low and toss the cooked pasta into the sauce. Remove from heat and serve. 

Tips when making it

• 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. They will dry up and become sticky.
• 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. 
• Sprinkle the pasta with more fresh basil and vegan parmesan before serving to make it even more flavorful! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to wash the pasta in cold water after cooking it? 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. 
2. Why is the sauce not sticking to the pasta? 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. 
3. Can I use fresh tomatoes only to make the sauce? Absolutely! You can even roast them beforehand to add a smoky flavor to the pasta.  

Storing Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta

Any leftovers should be cooled down completely before storing. Once it has cooled down, place in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Consume within two to three days. If you are making this dish ahead of time, store the pasta and sauce separately for longer storage life. 

Here are other delectable Vegan Pasta dishes to try! 

1. Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese – This vegan butternut squash mac and cheese is creamy, comforting, wholesome, and requires just 9 ingredients (plus salt & pepper)! Make this vegan mac and cheese without cashews, processed ingredients, gluten-free optional, and get ready to indulge!
2. Vegan Walnut Pesto – This nutty, herbaceous pesto is made with walnuts instead of pine nuts, which will save you tons of money, and we promise you won’t even notice the difference. It’s that good! With just six ingredients, this versatile and flavorful spread/dip/sauce is great on pizza, pasta, and crostini.
3. Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo – Love fettuccine alfredo but have been struggling to find the perfect homemade vegan-approved option? Well, look no further because our vegan fettuccine alfredo is about to become your favorite pasta recipe.
4. Curry Pasta – Switch up your pasta routine by adding this unique Curry Pasta into your rotation.

Photos by Alfonso Revilla