How to Make the Perfect Tomato Basil Angel Hair
Italian · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This tomato basil angel hair pasta is a classic Italian-inspired dish that is on the table in just 15 minutes thanks to delicate pasta that cooks in under 3 minutes. This quick recipe lets the freshest ingredients shine in a light but deeply flavorful sauce.
Why this recipe works
This Tomato Basil Angel Hair recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 390 calories with 12g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g angel hair pasta
- 400 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 20 g fresh basil leaves torn
- 40 g Parmesan cheese grated
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Start the Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they burst and form a light sauce.
Step 2: Cook the Angel Hair
While sauce simmers cook angel hair in well-salted boiling water for just 2 minutes until al dente, reserving half a cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 3: Combine Sauce and Pasta
Add drained pasta directly to the tomato pan with a splash of pasta water and toss quickly over medium heat to coat every strand in the sauce.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Remove from heat, fold in torn basil leaves, top generously with Parmesan, season with salt and black pepper, and serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- cherry tomatoes → canned whole San Marzano tomatoes crushed by hand for a richer deeper sauce
- Parmesan cheese → pecorino romano for a saltier and more pungent finish
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcooking angel hair even by one extra minute which makes it mushy and clumped together
- Adding basil too early over heat which turns it black and bitter rather than bright and fragrant
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 390 calories, 12g protein, 60g carbs, 12g fat, 4g fiber.
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