Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta | Only 20 Minutes!

This Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta is creamy, herby, and ready in only 20 mins. The perfect vegan + gluten-free lunch or date-night dinner!

This Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta is the perfect quick and easy dinner for those days when you don’t feel like cooking, but are craving something super flavorful and satisfying. This recipe is a delicious reminder that when it comes to food, simple doesn’t have to mean boring! In fact, this creamy, flavor-packed pasta has quickly become one of my favorite easy-to-make dishes. 😊

INGREDIENTS + INSPIRATION

This hearty pasta recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, using just 7 simple + budget-friendly ingredients. Even better – you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry 😉 We’ll be using tomato paste to give the sauce a more concentrated tomato flavor (and lots of umami!), plus fresh tomatoes to add more texture, sweetness, and juicy flavor. 

Pro-Tip: Be sure to use a high-quality olive oil for this recipe to ensure your pasta has the best possible flavor! Since this recipe uses so few ingredients, fresh is best here.

HOW TO MAKE SPICY TOMATO BASIL PASTA

To make this spicy, herb-filled pasta, all you need is one pot for boiling your noodles and one pan to sauté all of your other ingredients. Then simply combine the noodles with all of your sautéed veggies and you have a fresh, creamy, herby pasta dish that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a fancy date night! 

1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. Sauté the garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning in oil until garlic is golden. Add the tomato paste, spread it across the pan, and sauté until it darkens. 
3. Add the tomatoes and basil and simmer until the tomatoes have released their juices.
4. Place the drained pasta in the pan with the tomato mixture and stir until evenly coated. 
5. Enjoy with fresh basil or as desired. 

I love this Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta because it gives fresh summer produce the center stage to shine! The combination of sweet, juicy tomatoes with peppery leaves of fresh basil is a long-respected duo in the world of food, and this recipe pays ode to their iconic flavors. I like to top mine with a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper, shredded vegan parmesan cheese, and a few leaves of extra basil or fresh oregano. You can also top yours with a handful of pine nuts for an extra crunch!

Make this dish for a quick & easy lunch or dinner, or meal prep it ahead of time for hearty lunches throughout the week. It will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, just reheat your desired portion in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to help rehydrate the pasta.

COOKING TIPS + FAQ:

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes, simply swap out the pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta.
• How do I make this less spicy? You can easily change the spiciness of this recipe by reducing (or increasing) the red pepper flakes to your personal preference.
• What type of tomatoes should I use? I like to use cherry or grape tomatoes and slice them in half, but you could also use a large tomato and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
• How can I add more protein? Serve this pasta with my Crispy Tofu, or feel free to mix in chickpeas or your favorite plant-based protein of choice!

If you’re looking for more fun, fuss-free pasta recipes, you’ll love this One-Pot Vegan Buffalo Ranch Pasta, this Charred Corn & Basil Pasta, and this One-Pot Spinach Artichoke Pasta!

Finally, if you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I love seeing your delicious recreations 🙂

Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

This Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta is creamy, herby, and ready in only 20 mins. The perfect vegan + gluten-free lunch or date-night dinner!

• Author: Caitlin Shoemaker
• Prep Time: 5 Minutes
• Cook Time: 15 Minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
• Category: Main
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 ounces (225 g) pasta of choice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3–5 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 
• 1/4 cup (5 g) fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 12 ounces (340 g) fresh tomatoes (optional)

Instructions

 

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the pasta to the water and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
2. Aromatics: In the meantime, warm the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, until the garlic is golden. Add the tomato paste and use the back of a wooden spoon to “mash” it into the garlic and spread it out; it may look slightly lumpy, but will continue to thin out as it cooks! Sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the tomato paste starts to darken in color.
3. Sauté the Tomatoes: add the tomatoes and fresh basil to the pan; sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and released their juices. Turn the heat to medium-low.
4. Combine: Drain the cooked pasta, but do not rinse. Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the tomatoes and use tongs or a spoon to mix well, until the sauce and oil coats every noodle. Add additional salt to taste, if necessary.
5. Serve: Serve warm, topped with fresh basil or as desired. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and are best reheated on the stovetop with a splash of water, or in the microwave.

Notes

• Gluten-Free: use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: easy tomato pasta, tomato basil pasta, tomato pantry pasta, tomato basil pasta