Tomato Basil Spaghetti

One of my all-time favourite fast food meals to whip up at home is tomato basil pasta. And yes, I do call it "fast" food. Why? Because from chopping ingredients to washing up, this whole dish comes together in under 30 minutes. That’s faster (and way more satisfying) than reaching for instant noodles!

Plus, there’s something extra rewarding about stepping into my little garden, snipping a few fresh basil leaves, and tossing them straight into the pan. If basil isn’t available, no worries, you’ll still get a delicious tomato garlic pasta. Simple, flexible, and perfect for those lazy lunch or dinner moments.

For this recipe, I used spaghetti, but feel free to swap it with penne or any pasta you have on hand.

Viola! Here goes my quick and delicious express meal!

Ingredients: (1 serving)

Spaghetti (enough for one portion)

1 large tomato, chopped

½ onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

A few drops of balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add the onions and garlic, and saute for a few minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent.
3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks or burns. Season with salt, black pepper, and a few drops of balsamic vinegar.
4. Lower the heat and let the sauce gently simmer while the pasta finishes cooking.
5. Add the fresh basil and give the sauce a quick stir.
6. Drain the pasta and toss it straight into the sauce.
7. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if you like.

Little Tips:

• I like to remove the tomato skin and seeds for a smoother sauce. An easy trick? Use a sharp paring knife, make a shallow X-shaped cut on either the top or bottom skin, be careful not to slice deep into the flesh, then drop the tomato into boiling water briefly, and then transfer it to cold water, the skin will peel off effortlessly.
• If your sauce gets too thick while simmering, just add a splash of the pasta cooking water. It loosens the sauce and adds extra flavour too!

Simple ingredients, minimal effort, and big comfort in a bowl... this is my kind of fast food :)