Fresh Tomato Summer Pasta Sauce
Fresh Tomato Summer Pasta Sauce is a light and vibrant sauce made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and toasted pine nuts. A splash of balsamic vinegar enhances the natural sweetness of the tomatoes for a refreshing and flavorful dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
3 large fresh tomatoes (or a mix of cherry and pear tomatoes)
½ cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup fresh basil, cut chiffonade
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
½ pound pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes: If using large tomatoes, dice them into small pieces. If using cherry and pear tomatoes, halve or quarter them, depending on size. Set them aside.
- Toast the pine nuts: In a small pan, toast the pine nuts over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted water. Once cooked, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water and drain the rest. Set the pasta aside.
- Make the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for another minute. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss the pasta to coat it in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Finish the dish: Stir in the fresh basil, and top with toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese. Toss everything together and serve immediately.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, cook the tomatoes longer to reduce the liquid or add a small amount of tomato paste.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
For a vegan version, omit the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/fresh-tomato-summer-pasta-sauce/
