Italy / Main dishes

Spaghetti al pomodoro

Name: Spaghetti al pomodoro
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 2 portions
Cuisine: Italy
Ingredients: 180 g dried spaghetti; 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed; 8 basil leaves; 0.25 tsp salt, plus pasta water seasoning

A simple tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil and basil.

Prep10 min

Cook25 min

Yield2 portions

Jump to recipe

Editorial home-cooking adaptation · Not yet kitchen-tested. Timings are estimates; additional soaking, rising or chilling may apply. Read the complete method before starting.

Ingredients

2 portions

1×

Units are listed with each ingredient. 1 tbsp = 15 ml; 1 tsp = 5 ml. US cup measures are approximately 240 ml. Chef adaptations may retain source units. Scaling changes quantities, not cooking times. Ingredient ticks reset when the page reloads.

Let’s make it.

Warm oil and garlic gently until fragrant, without browning the garlic.
Add tomatoes and salt. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook spaghetti according to the packet. Reserve a mug of pasta water, then drain.
Toss pasta with sauce, torn basil and a little reserved water until glossy. Taste and serve.

A little kitchen note

Pasta water loosens sauce without making it oily. Use tomatoes you enjoy rather than adding sugar automatically.

Allergen notes

Wheat; some pasta contains egg. This list is a starting point, not a certification of suitability. Check every ingredient label and preparation surface.

Use a food thermometer where relevant. For handling and storage, see our cooking basics and official food-safety links.

Before you start

What goes into the sauce

This version uses tinned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil. The ingredient list does not require cheese. Any cheese pictured in the AI serving suggestion is an optional visual garnish, not part of the listed nutrition estimate.

Finish the pasta in the sauce

Have the tomato sauce ready before draining the spaghetti. Reserve pasta water first, then add a small splash while tossing. Add more only if needed: the aim is a sauce that coats the pasta rather than a watery pool.

Adjust without overcomplicating

Tinned tomatoes differ in acidity and consistency. Simmer to the texture you prefer and taste before adjusting seasoning. The suggested cooking time is an estimate, and this adaptation has not been kitchen-tested.

Useful kitchen guides

Cooking preparation and food safety · Ingredient swaps and their limitations · How nutrition estimates work

Editorial notes added 20 October 2026. This is not a kitchen-testing record. Report an unclear step or ingredient.

A little nourishment.

Illustrative nutrition estimate · Per listed portion (1/2 of the recipe)

Energy: 501 kcal
Protein: 13.9 g
Carbs: 77.1 g
Fat: 15.6 g
Fibre: 5.5 g
Total sugar: 7.8 g
Sodium: 18 mg

Approximate generic ingredient estimates, not verified nutrition labels. Includes quantified optional ingredients; unquantified “as needed” salt, oils or garnishes may be excluded. Brands, substitutions, portions and cooking change values. Nutrition stays per portion when batch quantities are scaled. How we estimate nutrition

Approximate generic ingredient estimates. Brands, edible portions and cooking change values.

Make a little more of it