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.
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. 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!