Pasta with Tomato Sauce
The simplest pasta dish — perfect as a first recipe for helpers learning Western cooking.
Prep: 5 minutes. Cook: 20 minutes. Difficulty: Easy. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 400g pasta (any shape)
- 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper
- Grated cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and basil. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss pasta with sauce. Serve with grated cheese.
Tips for Helpers
- Don't rinse pasta after draining.
- The sauce should reduce and thicken while simmering.
- Save a cup of pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Fresh tomatoes can replace canned.
- Any dried herb works — oregano is a good alternative.
- Nutritional yeast can replace cheese for dairy-free.