Easy Tomato and Basil Pasta (One Pot, 4 Ingredients!)
This Easy Tomato and Basil Pasta uses just four simple ingredients and cooks in one pot. It’s light, fresh, and perfect for busy days—delicious served warm or chilled! Bonus: the sauce makes enough for two servings, so you can save the rest for later or share it with someone!
Ingredients
pasta
- 100 g spaghetti dried
- 1 L water
- 8 g salt
sauce
- 200 g canned tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon onion koji
- 10 fresh basil leaves
optional
- olive oil to taste
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
Start Boiling the Pasta
- In a pot, bring 1 liter of water to a boil. Add 8g of salt, then cook 100g of dried pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.100 g spaghetti, 1 L water, 8 g salt
- Drain the cooked pasta and place it on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat, if desired.
Make the Sauce
- In a separate pot (or reuse the same one after draining the pasta), add: 200g canned tomatoes, 1 tablespoon onion koji, tear 10 basil leaves into bite-sized pieces and add them in.200 g canned tomatoes, 1 tablespoon onion koji, 10 fresh basil leaves
- Mix everything with a spatula, then bring to a gentle boil. Simmer briefly(2-3minutes) for a bright, tangy sauce.* For a sweeter, more mellow flavor, simmer a bit longer to reduce acidity.
Finishing Touches
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and serve immediately—or chill and enjoy it as a cold pasta dish.
Notes
Want to add richness?
Start by heating olive oil and chopped garlic in the pot. When the garlic becomes fragrant and starts to turn golden, add the tomatoes, onion koji, and basil. Then follow the same steps above to make the sauce.Adjust the flavor with cooking time:
For a light and refreshing sauce with a touch of tomato acidity, simmer briefly.Prefer a sweeter, mellower flavor? Let the sauce cook a bit longer to reduce the acidity and enhance its natural sweetness.
Want to Add More Ingredients?
If you'd like to make the dish heartier or add some variety, here are a few vegan-friendly ingredients that pair wonderfully with the tomato and basil sauce:-
- Mushrooms: Varieties like shimeji or eryngii (king oyster mushrooms) add a savory, meaty texture and rich umami flavor.
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- Boiled Potatoes: Soft, tender potatoes absorb the sauce beautifully and make the pasta extra satisfying—perfect for a comforting meal.