Quick and Easy Pasta Toss

Whip up a vibrant and satisfying meal in just 25 minutes with this Quick and Easy Pasta Toss recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish pairs al dente spaghetti (or your favorite pasta) with a medley of fresh and flavorful ingredients like juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and aromatic basil. A light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese elevate the dish, while optional red pepper flakes add a subtle kick. The use of reserved pasta water creates a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings to every bite. Simple yet irresistibly delicious, this easy pasta recipe serves four and is sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 units garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cups fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cups reserved pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti (or pasta of your choice) according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.

Step 5

If you'd like a bit of heat, stir in the red pepper flakes at this point. Add the salt and black pepper.

Step 6

Toss the cooked, drained pasta into the skillet with the tomato mixture. Use tongs to combine and coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Pour in the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring, to help create a light, silky sauce that clings to the pasta.

Step 8

Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil and half of the grated Parmesan.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnishing each plate with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	835.9 grams (835.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	936

Total Fat 45.40g	58%
Saturated Fat 7.00g	35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2385mg	104%
Total Carbohydrate 109.70g	40%
Dietary Fiber 10.70g	38%
Total Sugars 10.10g
Protein 22.20g	44%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 203mg	16%
Iron 7mg	40%
Potassium 1074mg	23%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.6%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 46.9%