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
Pretty good for a weeknight. My only issue was the sauce felt a little thin, so next time I’ll simmer it 10 minutes instead of 5.
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!
I followed the recipe but the sauce was too tangy for me. Maybe less tomatoes next time.
This pasta is sooo good! Super easy to make. I added some chicken and it was a hit!
I tried it too! With chicken, right? Honestly didn’t care for it that much. The sauce wasn’t saucy enough for me.
This dish is amazing!! I made it for my family and they loved it just like you said! 🌟
This was so quick and easy! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. 😍
So good! I added chicken and it was a hit at dinner. Thanks for the easy recipe!
Honestly, super basic. My grandma makes better with just jar sauce! lol.
It was okay. I think 5 minutes wasn’t enough for the tomatoes to really cook down, so it tasted a little “canned” to me.
Perfect for a lazy evening! My kiddos loved it too!
Simple but delicious! Even my kids ate it without complaints. Win!
The method is simple and I like that. But why do you cook garlic for 1 minute only? Garlic can go bitter fast, so I’d rather see it more carefully timed.
This recipe is super easy! I made it for dinner and my family loved it. Will definitely make again!
Okay, I was skeptical about only simmering the tomatoes for 5 minutes, but it turned out flavorful. Next time I’ll add a splash of pasta water to make it silkier.
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? 🤔
Honestly the garlic burned on my first try. I think one minute is too long on high heat—lower it and watch it like a hawk.
Pasta? yes! Easy? also yes! Great recipe!
Made it tonight and it hit the spot. I followed it pretty much exactly, but I used dried basil since that’s what I had—still tasty.
5 stars! so easy even i can do it lol
It was okay… but I think I burnt the garlic. Don’t know if I did it right but tasted bitter.
I’m impressed with how few ingredients you need. The parmesan at the end is clutch. 10/10 comfort food.
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!
Just a warning, if u don’t like spicy, use less pepper flakes. It was a bit much for me.
Made this tonight—family approved. I used a little extra parmesan because why not. Tastes like something from a casual Italian spot.
Love hearing that! Extra parmesan is always the right move 😄 The garlic + red pepper combo makes it taste like a little trattoria, for sure.
Not bad, but the garlic could be toned down. Mine got a little strong and I’m not sure if I burned it or just used too much.
I don’t know… it seemed kinda bland. Maybe more salt next time?
Eh… spaghetti with canned tomatoes is nothing special. Also I forgot to mince the garlic and just chopped it coarsely—still okay though.
Pretty good, but I think 5 minutes for the sauce is too short. It tasted a little tinny to me, so next time I’d simmer longer.
Wow, who knew spaghetti could be so quick? This is now my go-to recipe!
I followed it exactly and it came out okay, but kinda basic. Needs more seasoning—maybe more salt or some Italian seasoning?
Tastes great! I added some chicken and veggies. Yumm!
Yummy!!! 🍝
This looks so easy! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing! 👍
Yum! My kids loved it! Will definitely make again, but doubled the garlic for more flavor!
I followed it exactly and it was… fine. Kinda tomato-forward, not super “wow.” Maybe I’m missing something like more basil or garlic?
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!
Not bad, but 5 minutes for the tomatoes felt a little short to me. Next time I’ll simmer longer and maybe add some onion. Still tasty though.
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.
I dunno, why do people keep saying it’s easy? I messed it up somehow, had to order pizza instead.
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…
Nice weeknight recipe. The sauce is a bit thin for my liking, but tossing the pasta longer helped. Next time I’ll simmer the tomatoes a couple more minutes.
Thin sauce? Just add more cheese at the end and it will thicken. Also 5 minutes seems way too short to me—my tomatoes need like 15. (Unless my can is different lol.)
Totally agree about the sauce—mine is usually thin too until I give it a bit more time. I’ll try simmering like you said next time 👌
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 don’t really get why people like spaghetti with diced tomatoes—like it’s just pasta sauce. But I made it anyway… and yeah, it’s good.
This tastes like something my aunt would make—simple but really satisfying. I used dried basil because that’s what I had and it still worked.
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?
Basil at the end was a great move. Also, don’t overcook the garlic—mine went a tiny bit brown and got a bitter vibe.
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!
This pasta recipe is simple and delicious! Even my picky kids liked it. Will make again!
Super fast and honestly way more flavorful than I expected. The garlic + red pepper combo is perfect, and the basil makes it feel fancy.
Yes! That garlic + red pepper combo is such a game changer—didn’t think a quick sauce could taste that good. I also love finishing with basil right at the end like you said.
Not gonna lie, I felt like it needed more seasoning. The recipe says 1/2 tsp salt but I had to add more pepper too. Parmesan helps a lot though.
What do u mean by al dente? Is that cooked right? 😅
It tasted good, but I think 8 oz pasta for the sauce is a bit tight. Also, my garlic burned slightly because my heat was too high—lower than medium would help.
Glad you liked it! Yeah, 8 oz can feel a little snug depending on how saucy you want it—adding a splash more tomato juice/water or using closer to 12 oz pasta could help. And burning garlic is so easy—lowering to medium-low and stirring more often usually fixes that.
Yum! My family ate it all, no leftovers. Next time I’ll throw in some spinach too.
5 stars for ease but I added more spices! More flavor is always better, right?
Followed it exactly (almost) and it came out great. I added a little extra parmesan at the end because why not.
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?
Didn’t come out like I thought it would. Should have watched a video instead.
Maybe try adding more spices next time? It can make a big difference!
Pretty solid weeknight pasta. I added a splash of pasta water at the end and it got glossy and extra good. Would make again.
Too much garlic? maybe. Mine smelled amazing but the flavor was strong. I’d cut to 2 cloves next time.
This pasta is so simple and delicious! I added some chicken for protein and it was great.
Honestly, this is a lifesaver. I used dried basil because I didn’t have fresh and it still worked.
Best pasta recipe I ever made! Quick and easy, just like it said. Thx!
Super quick and it tastes way better than I expected from canned tomatoes. The garlic + red pepper flakes combo is perfect.
The instructions were clear, but my sauce seemed a bit thin. Next time I’ll simmer longer or use crushed tomatoes. Still pretty good though!
Basic af, like I could whip this up in my sleep. But then again, easy recipes are still valid. Cheers!
I don’t think this tastes like real Italian pasta. The tomato sauce is too bland.
I burnt the garlic a little (oops), so it got bitter. But once I started over it was tasty. Reminder: garlic cooks fast!
Oh nooo—yeah garlic goes from fragrant to bitter real fast 😅 Glad you salvaged it though. This is why I keep my heat on medium-low when I do garlic.
I always thought garlic take like 5 minutes but apparently no 😬 Next time I’ll watch it closer. Also I might add a little sugar if it’s bitter—works sometimes, right?
Made this tonight and it was shockingly fast. The garlic + red pepper combo is perfect. I added a tiny splash of pasta water and it made the sauce cling better.
Love hearing that! A splash of pasta water is such a good call—totally helps the sauce cling. Garlic + red pepper is the move.
Not gonna lie, 5 minutes for the tomatoes feels too short. It tasted a little sharp to me. I’d cook the sauce longer for sure.
5 minutes?? That’s probably why it tasted sharp. My sauce always needs longer or it’s like… raw tomato vibes lol. I’d definitely cook it longer.
I totally get that—5 minutes can leave tomatoes tasting a bit sharp. I usually simmer mine closer to 10–15 and it mellows out a lot. Maybe next time try a pinch of sugar too?
Easy peasy. 👌
Too easy! I’m skeptical about how good it can actually be. Pasta really need more than just tomatoes!
Wasn’t that impressed. The sauce could use more flavor. Maybe add some oregano next time?
Made this tonight and it was seriously so fast. Garlic + red pepper flakes are doing the heavy lifting. Sauce tasted fresh even with canned tomatoes!
5 stars! I’ve been making this for years. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
5 stars. My roommates tried to steal the leftovers.
This is dangerously easy. The garlic + pepper flakes really make the tomatoes taste bigger. I added a splash of pasta water and it turned out silky.
Why is everyone raving about this? It’s just pasta and canned tomatoes. Whatever… boring.
Quick and simple, but didn’t have fresh basil, so used dried. Still tasted alright.
I think dried basil is fine, it still adds flavor! But fresh does taste better. Glad it turned out alright for you!
Good, but I forgot the basil. Left my spaghetti – still tasted fine though.
Spaghetti? That’s it? No cheese sauce or nothing lol. I guess it’s fine, but I expected more.
I don’t understand why people say “quick and easy” when cooking pasta takes half my life 😅 Still, the steps are straightforward and the final result was tasty.
Right? “Quick and easy” is always relative 😂 But once the pasta’s going, this one is pretty painless. I love that it uses a simple tomato + garlic base—definitely tastes like more effort than it is.
I followed it exactly but my garlic burned—maybe my heat was too high. Tasted a bit bitter. When I reheated with fresh garlic it fixed it.
That makes sense—garlic goes from fragrant to burnt really fast, especially if the pan runs hotter than expected. Reheating with fresh garlic was a smart fix!
Made this tonight and it was honestly super fast. The garlic + red pepper combo gives it a nice kick without being too much. I used a little extra basil at the end—so good.
Not bad, but 2 tbsp olive oil seems like a lot for me. I cut it in half and it was still flavorful.