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Easy Budget-Friendly Summer Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes

budget-friendly summer pasta - featured image
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A quick, affordable, and comforting pasta dish featuring garlic-infused olive oil and fresh or canned tomatoes, perfect for busy summer evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or your favorite pasta (penne or fusilli work too)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups (around 300 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved (or 14 ounces/400 grams canned diced tomatoes)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
  • Zest of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté gently, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden but not browned, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Toss in 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes (or canned diced tomatoes) and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release juices, forming a light sauce, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta well.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the tomato and garlic sauce. Toss gently over low heat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and becomes silky, about 2 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in a handful of torn fresh basil leaves and the zest of half a lemon. Give everything a final toss.
  7. Serve immediately, sprinkled generously with grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and optionally a little extra drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Keep an eye on the garlic while sautéing to avoid burning. Use reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Fresh basil and lemon zest brighten the dish. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta options work well.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer pasta, garlic pasta, tomato pasta, quick pasta recipe, budget-friendly dinner, easy pasta, vegetarian pasta, gluten-free pasta option

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-budget-friendly-summer-pasta-with-garlic-and-tomatoes-recipe-for-quick-meals/