Pasta is a classic Italian dish that has taken the world by storm. It's a simple yet delicious dish that can be customized with any ingredients of your liking. One such variant is the Tomato Basil Pasta, which is a one-pot dish that can be made easily with a few ingredients. I recently tried making this dish at home and was blown away by the flavor and simplicity of the recipe. In this blog, I will share with you my experience of making this dish and provide you with a detailed recipe to try it out yourself.
I remember the first time I made Tomato Basil Pasta. I had been craving a delicious pasta dish for days and stumbled upon this recipe on the internet. As I gathered all the ingredients, the aroma of fresh basil and tomatoes filled my kitchen, and my mouth started watering in anticipation. As I started cooking, I couldn't help but feel like a true Italian chef. The steam rising from the pot filled my senses, and I knew this was going to be a special dish. The sound of the pasta boiling, the sizzling of the garlic, and the sweet fragrance of the basil made me feel like I was in a fancy restaurant.
Finally, the pasta was ready, and I eagerly served myself a steaming bowl of Tomato Basil Pasta. As I took the first bite, my taste buds danced with joy. The combination of fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and perfectly cooked pasta was nothing short of heavenly.
I ended up making this dish several times after that, each time with a different twist. Sometimes I added extra veggies and other times I experimented with different types of pasta. But no matter what I did, the Tomato Basil Pasta remained a firm favorite and always transported me to Italy with each bite.
Ingredients:
Here are the ingredients you will need to make Tomato Basil Pasta:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ onion, diced
- ¼ cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 3 cups of chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
How to make it:
Here are the steps to make Tomato Basil Pasta:
- In a large pot, combine the pasta, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, fresh basil, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Let the pasta cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed, and the pasta is cooked.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir well.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Tomato Basil Pasta.
How to store it:
If you have leftovers, you can store the Tomato Basil Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to refrigerate it:
To refrigerate the pasta, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the fridge.
How to reheat:
To reheat the pasta, you can microwave it for a few minutes or reheat it in a pan on the stove with a little bit of olive oil.
Tips to make it more delicious:
- Here are some tips to make your Tomato Basil Pasta even more delicious:
- Use fresh ingredients, including fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Add some red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
- Use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought for a richer flavor.
- Top the pasta with some fresh Parmesan cheese before serving.
FAQs:
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, you can use vegetable broth if you prefer a vegetarian option.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use canned tomatoes if fresh ones are not available.
Can I add other ingredients to the pasta?
Yes, you can add any ingredients of your liking, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini, to the pasta.
Can I make this dish with gluten-free pasta?
Yes, you can substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs?
Yes, you can use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs. Just keep in mind that fresh herbs have a milder flavor, so you may need to use a larger amount to achieve the same level of flavor.
Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, you can make this dish vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omitting the Parmesan cheese or using a vegan substitute.
Conclusion:
Tomato Basil Pasta is a simple and delicious one-pot dish that can be customized to your liking. With fresh ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can create a delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Tomato Basil Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lb. ground sausage, hot or sweet
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated and at room temp
- 1 heaping Tablespoon cream cheese, at room temp.
- ¾ pound refrigerated tortellini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ⅓ cup firmly packed basil leaves, chiffonade
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the sausage, cook and crumble until brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Drain any grease from the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the chicken broth and half and half. Increase heat and bring to a boil, then decrease heat to a simmer.
- Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, whisking well to incorporate.
- Whisk in the cream cheese until incorporated. It melts smoothly when at room temperature.
- Add the tortellini and then the tomatoes. Stir gently to combine into the sauce.
- Let it bubble gently, uncovered, until cooked through. Refer to package for exact time frame, typically 4-7 minutes.
- Stir in the basil leaves and add the sausage back to the pan. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Turn off the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken upon standing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Using Dry Pasta
The amount of liquid in this sauce is based upon using refrigerated pasta. Dry pasta requires more liquid and cooking time.To use dry pasta such as Penne or Farfalle:
- Boil ¾ pound of pasta separately for 5 minutes less than instructed on package.
- Drain and transfer to this sauce.
- Let it gently bubble, uncovered, for the remaining 5 minutes, or until it's reached your desired texture.
Other Substitutions Options:
- Ground turkey or beef may be used instead of sausage.
- Heavy cream may be used instead of half and half. I don't recommend milk as that can curdle during the cooking process and the sauce will be much thinner.
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes may also be used instead of cherry tomatoes.
- Up to 2 cups fresh spinach may be used instead of basil. Frozen spinach that's been thawed and drained works well too.
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