Luscious Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato-Basil Medley
Indulge in a delightful Italian-inspired dish that beautifully combines the delicate texture of angel hair pasta with the vibrant freshness of ripe roma tomatoes and fragrant basil. This dish is a perfect celebration of summer flavors, enhanced by just the right amount of garlic. Prepared and served swiftly, it's an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. By using light butter infused with canola oil, we keep it light without compromising on richness. Enjoy this dish topped with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese for an added savory finish. Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned chef, you'll find that this recipe is not only simple but also a crowd-pleaser.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Uncooked dried angel hair pasta
4 ounces (Broken in half)
Fresh garlic
1 teaspoon (Finely chopped)
Roma tomatoes
6 medium (Coarsely chopped)
Fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Light butter with canola oil
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
to taste (For serving)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, usually about 3-4 minutes.
2
Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot, keeping it warm.
3
In a separate 10-inch nonstick skillet, lightly spray with no-stick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
4
Add the coarsely chopped roma tomatoes and chopped basil to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the tomatoes are heated through and start to release their juices.
5
Remove the skillet from heat and gently toss the hot pasta into the tomato-basil mixture. Drizzle the melted light butter over the top and mix until well combined.
6
Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl and sprinkle with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy the flavors of Italy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main pasta used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of uncooked dried angel hair pasta.
How long should I cook the angel hair pasta?
Cook the pasta in boiling water for about 3-4 minutes until it is al dente.
How many tomatoes are required?
You will need 6 medium Roma tomatoes.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
The Roma tomatoes should be coarsely chopped.
What type of butter is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of melted light butter with canola oil.
How much garlic is used in this dish?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh garlic.
How long do I sauté the garlic?
Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it is fragrant but not browned.
When do I add the fresh basil?
Add the chopped basil to the skillet along with the coarsely chopped Roma tomatoes.
How much fresh basil is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetable-based pasta dish.
What kind of cheese is used for serving?
The dish is topped with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese to taste.
Should I use a specific type of skillet?
A 10-inch nonstick skillet is recommended for sautéing the vegetables.
How should the pasta be treated before boiling?
The angel hair pasta should be broken in half before cooking.
What is the cooking method for the tomatoes?
Stir them frequently for 1 to 2 minutes until they are heated through and start to release their juices.
When should the butter be added?
Drizzle the melted light butter over the top after tossing the pasta into the tomato-basil mixture.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and an easy recipe suitable for weeknights.
What does 'al dente' mean for this pasta?
It refers to pasta cooked to be still firm when bitten, which usually takes 3-4 minutes for angel hair.
Should I use cooking spray?
Yes, lightly spray the nonstick skillet with no-stick cooking spray before heating.
How should the dish be served?
Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl and serve immediately while hot.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is an Italian-inspired dish featuring fresh tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant basil.
Can I substitute the light butter?
While the recipe specifies light butter with canola oil, you could use regular butter as a substitute.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, 'comfort food' is one of the tags associated with this recipe.
How many main ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 total ingredients listed for this dish.
Should the garlic be browned?
No, the garlic should be sautéed only until fragrant to avoid a bitter taste.
How should the basil be prepared?
The fresh basil leaves should be chopped before being added to the skillet.
Is the pasta served warm?
Yes, the pasta should be returned to the pot after draining to keep it warm before mixing.
Does the recipe use salt?
The recipe mentions boiling the pasta in a large pot of salted water.
Can I use different tomatoes?
The recipe specifically calls for Roma tomatoes for their texture and flavor.
Is this a light meal?
Yes, it is described as a light dish and uses light butter to keep the calorie count lower.
Who is this recipe designed for?
It is described as being perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs.