Basil Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

   3 min hands-on

   • Finely slice the shallots and garlic.
   • Tear the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces and set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics

   6 min hands-on

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add sliced shallots and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Add Spices and Garlic

   2 min hands-on

   • Stir in sliced garlic and cayenne pepper.
   • Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, without browning the garlic.

4. Incorporate Tomato Sauce

   1 min hands-on6 min waiting

   • Pour in tomato sauce and an equal amount of water.
   • Stir well and simmer on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.

5. Season Sauce

   • Add black pepper and salt to taste.
   • Stir thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.

6. Cook Pasta

   3 min hands-on9 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook whole wheat pasta until al dente, reserving some pasta water before draining.

7. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   2 min hands-on

   • Gradually add cooked pasta to the skillet with sauce.
   • Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed for a silky texture.

8. Finish with Basil

   • Remove skillet from heat and add torn basil leaves.
   • Mix gently to infuse pasta with basil aroma.

9. Plate and Serve

   1 min hands-on

   • Divide pasta into serving bowls.
   • Drizzle with olive oil if desired and serve immediately.
   • Cooking tips:
   • To enhance the umami flavor, consider adding nutritional yeast, Parmesan cheese, or balsamic vinegar to the sauce before serving.
   • Keep an eye on the garlic as it cooks—it can quickly go from golden to burnt.
   • If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add crushed red pepper flakes when seasoning the sauce.
   • For a creamier sauce, stir in plant-based cream, Greek yogurt, or mascarpone at the end of cooking.