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Napolitana pasta with basil in a white bowl.

Easy 30 Minute Spaghetti Napolitana

This Spaghetti Napolitana recipe combines the sweetness of cherry tomatoes with aromatic garlic and basil, creating a rich and flavorful sauce that's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

  • 30 ml (2 tablespoon) olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400 g (14 oz) tin cherry tomatoes, see notes
  • 30 g (2 tablespoon) tomato paste
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed chili flakes
  • 500 g (1 lb) spaghetti

For Serving:

  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • Parmesan cheese, shaved

Instructions

Cook the Spaghetti:

  • Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, saving a cup of the pasta water, and set it aside.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • In a heavy, high-sided skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
  • Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.
  • Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 5 minutes. Season with a pinch of sea salt.

Combine Ingredients:

  • Mix in the tomato paste with the onions and garlic, stirring for 1 minute.
  • Pour in the tinned cherry tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency and the flavors meld. Adjust the seasoning to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water.

Finish the Sauce:

  • Stir in the crushed chili flakes and some chopped basil.

Combine Pasta and Sauce:

  • Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Serve:

  • Divide the spaghetti into bowls and serve with shaved Parmesan cheese and extra chopped basil.

Notes

  • You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with chopped tomatoes if preferred.
  • Make a batch of this sauce to keep in the freezer for quick and easy meals on busy weeknights.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 708mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 3mg
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