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Pasta Napoletana

Easy Pasta Napoletana: A Quick Italian Family Favorite

Pasta Napoletana blends rich tomato sauce with sautéed onions and fresh basil for a satisfying, quick Italian dish. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz spaghetti or bucatini can be replaced with any short pasta variety
For the Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil preferred for richer flavor
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can canned tomatoes 14oz or 400 grams
  • ½ tsp salt plus more to taste
  • tsp black pepper
  • 1 handful basil chopped or torn
For Serving
  • 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese grated, optional for vegan

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large Pan
  • cutting board
  • knife

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti or bucatini and cook according to package instructions for about 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  2. In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5-6 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes until aromatic.
  4. Pour in the canned tomatoes and add ½ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer, cooking for about 15 minutes.
  5. Once the pasta is al dente, reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the rest. Toss the drained pasta with the tomato sauce, adding reserved water as needed.
  6. Mix in the chopped or torn basil, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  7. Serve on warm plates, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra zip, consider adding olives or fresh greens to the dish. Cook the pasta timing in sync with the sauce for best results.

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