A simple and delicious pasta dish that can be made in no time. This quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners. It features spaghetti tossed in a flavorful tomato sauce with garlic and red pepper flakes. Top it off with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a burst of flavor.
Sometimes, the best dinners are the simplest. When the day gets hectic and time is short, there’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of pasta to bring everything back into balance. This quick spaghetti with tomato sauce is proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to create something satisfying and full of flavor.
What makes this dish a go-to weeknight favorite is its effortless preparation. In the time it takes to boil water and cook the pasta, the sauce comes together in one pan. A gentle sauté of garlic in olive oil sets the foundation, while a pinch of red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, let it simmer briefly, and you’ve got a sauce that’s rich, vibrant, and incredibly fragrant.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Keep it simple for a minimalist meal, or dress it up with extras like olives, capers, or chopped sun-dried tomatoes. If you have leftover veggies or a bit of cooked sausage in the fridge, toss them in for added texture and heartiness. No matter what, a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan and a few torn basil leaves will elevate the dish to something that feels special, even on the busiest of nights.
Spaghetti is the classic choice here, but this sauce works well with penne, linguine, or any pasta shape you prefer. The key is in the balance of flavors — the sweetness of the tomatoes, the subtle bite of garlic, and the bold kick from chili flakes. It’s a combination that always hits the spot.
Serve this pasta hot, with a slice of crusty bread or a light green salad on the side. It’s cozy, comforting, and guaranteed to please. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a hungry family, this is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tbsp basil chopped fresh
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss until well coated with the tomato sauce.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
Just okay, needed more ingredients like meat or veggies. This is just pasta with tomatoes, smh.
I dunno, it was kinda bland for my taste. Needs more spices or something.
I totally get what you’re saying! A little more seasoning could really amp this dish up. Maybe some Italian herbs? 🍝
Bland? Really? I thought it was good! Maybe you just don’t like simple flavors. 🤷♂️
Not bad for a quick meal, but I prefer my mom’s recipe. No competition!
I get that! Nothing beats mom’s cooking. But this recipe is super easy for busy days!
This was so quick and easy! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. 😍
Perfect for a lazy evening! My kiddos loved it too!
Simple but delicious! Even my kids ate it without complaints. Win!
This recipe is super easy! I made it for dinner and my family loved it. Will definitely make again!
Why do u need fancy ingredients? Just boil the spaghetti n throw sauce on it. Easy peasy.
This was super easy to make! The garlic really pops. I’ll definitely make it again. 😍
Ugh, too much garlic for me. Next time I’ll cut it down.
But garlic is the best part! Without it, what’s the point? Seems like you just don’t like it 😅.
I love garlic, but I guess everyone has their taste! Maybe try adding some more cheese next time to balance it out?
Nice and quick! I might add some olives next time for a different twist. Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t pasta just flour and water? How can it be so fancy? 🤔
Why do people even put tomatoes in pasta? 🤨
Tomatoes add flavor and moisture, that’s why they’re there! 😋
This recipe is so simple and quick! My family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I don’t know… it seemed kinda bland. Maybe more salt next time?
Wow, who knew spaghetti could be so quick? This is now my go-to recipe!
Tastes great! I added some chicken and veggies. Yumm!
Too simple for my taste, I need something with more complexity and flavor. Meh.
Yum! Quick and delicious! I added some cooked shrimp and it was perfect!
Yum! I love how the basil adds flavor, really brightens the dish! 🌿
This is pasta right? I was expecting something more complex.
Seems kinda lame. You could do sooo much more with pasta. Where’s the meat?!
Yeah, it’s just pasta but sometimes simple is best! You can always add things if you want it more complex.
Quick meal, but didn’t have fresh basil, just used dried. Still turned out ok.
How do you call it ‘quick’ when you gotta boil water? 😂
Quick? More like mediocre! 😒 But I guess it’s easy enough for a weekday dinner.
Boiling water ain’t that hard! 😂 Just get a kettle and you’re good to go! This recipe sounds delish! 🍝
This made my kitchen smell AMAZING! Garlic is life. 10/10 would recommend.
Sounds good, but I dunno if garlic can save a bad pasta. 🤔
Garlic really does elevate every dish! Love this recipe, can’t wait to try it!
I thought I had tomatoes but ended up using spaghetti sauce instead…
This was super quick and easy to make! Loved it!
Followed step by step but it didn’t really come together for me. Maybe I did somethin wrong?
Don’t worry, it happens! Maybe try cooking the spaghetti a bit longer or use fresher ingredients next time. Keep at it!
Nah, this pasta should work fine. Did you forget the cheese? That might be it!
I made this for dinner yesterday and was surprised how easy it was! 😍 Yum!
I tried this but it was kinda bland. Needs more seasoning or maybe some meat?
Didnt have fresh basil so I used dried. Recipe still turned out but I think fresh is best.
Yea, but fresh basil makes it taste sooo much better! You should try to get some next time.
I always use dried basil too! It works just fine. Fresh is overrated if you ask me.
How do you even make this? I messed up and burnt the garlic, so bad! 😩
Easy to make but felt like it needed something else? Like olives maybe?
Did i miss something? My noodles turned out mushy. Followed your directions!
I added some chicken and it turned out amazing! Thanks for the base recipe!
Tasty! But I used fettuccine instead and it still worked out.
Fettuccine instead of spaghetti? Really? I don’t think that’s how it’s supposed to be done.
Glad to hear it worked with fettuccine! Pasta is so versatile!
What do u mean by al dente? Is that cooked right? 😅
5 stars for ease but I added more spices! More flavor is always better, right?
Yummmm! My kids loved it! Even my picky eater asked for seconds!
Perfect for busy weeknights! I love how simple it is. 🙂
Absolutely! Quick meals are the best when you’re short on time. This looks delicious!
I dunno, it looks too easy. Is it really gonna taste good?
I don’t think this tastes like real Italian pasta. The tomato sauce is too bland.