Description
This simple and delicious ditalini pasta recipe pairs perfectly with a classic homemade tomato sauce, featuring garlic, onions, and basil. It’s a versatile dish that’s easy to prepare, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner. Add your favorite protein, or enjoy it as is for a comforting, vegetarian meal. Perfectly al dente ditalini pasta absorbs the rich tomato sauce, creating a satisfying and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- Ditalini Pasta:
- 2 cups ditalini pasta
- Classic Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional Toppings:
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Chopped vegetables like zucchini or spinach (optional)
- Protein like chicken or sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Ditalini Pasta
- Heat a large pot filled with salted water until it reaches a rolling boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually 8–10 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about a cup of the pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce
- Warm some olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and finely chopped onion, cooking for 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir and let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes on low heat. Stir occasionally.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Add the cooked ditalini to the sauce and stir to combine. Let the pasta cook in the sauce for an additional 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- If the sauce turns out too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to adjust it to your preferred consistency.
- Serve
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves. Add red pepper flakes for heat, if desired.
Notes
- To add extra flavor, try stirring in chopped vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
- You can also add cooked chicken, sausage, or beans for a heartier meal.
- For a spicier dish, include red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1,5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7,5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0g