Description
A classic Italian pasta dish, Pasta Napoletana features a flavorful tomato sauce with garlic, onions, and basil, served over spaghetti and topped with Parmesan cheese. This vegetarian recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces spaghetti or other long pasta
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water, cook pasta al dente, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain pasta.
- Prepare Sauce: Sauté garlic and onion in olive oil, add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Finish Dish: Stir in fresh basil, adjust seasoning, add pasta to sauce, toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed. Serve with Parmesan and basil.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of red wine before simmering the sauce.
- You can also sauté anchovies or olives for a more traditional southern Italian touch.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and simple to make vegan by skipping the cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
