Pasta is probably one of my favorite comfort foods of all time! You can count me in on anything that includes pasta. I wanted to create a fresh and easy pasta dinner that you can make if you’re in a hurry for those busy weeknights that also doubles as a fancy date night dinner. This recipe is loaded with rich and fresh flavors from the anchovies as well as the fresh basil. Don’t let the fact that I threw in the word anchovy scare you. These anchovies are only used as the base to provide the most amazing layer of flavor in this dish. They break down and melt right into the garlic, olive oil and wine leaving you with a perfect base of flavors to let your San Marzano tomatoes bathe in. I know you can’t find San Marzano’s everywhere, so you can sub cherry tomatoes if needed for this recipe. I get my San Marzano’s from Trader Joe’s and they are the perfect choice for this dish! I cooked up some whole wheat pasta which I tossed in the tomato sauce with fresh basil and parm cheese. Don’t wait on this recipe! It’s a winner!
Easy 20 Minute San Marzano Pasta
2
servings5
minutes20
minutesIngredients
8 oz 8 Whole Wheat Spaghetti or Pasta of Choice
3 Tbsp 3 Olive Oil
3 3 Cloves, Minced Garlic
3 3 Anchovy Filets
1/2 cup 1/2 Dry White Wine
10 oz 10 San Marzano Tomatoes
1/4 cup 1/4 Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbsp 2 Freshly Chopped Basil for Sauce + more for garnish
Directions
- To begin, preheat stock pot with water for your spaghetti. Once your water starts boiling, add salt to flavor the pasta and drop your past down. Cook to package directions
- While pasta is boiling, preheat skillet over medium high heat with olive oil. Add minced garlic and anchovy filets. Let them cook and break apart. You will see them disintegrate into the sauce. This is what you want
- Add white wine and simmer for about a minute, then add your San Marzano tomatoes
- Turn your burner to medium and simmer until your tomatoes burst and break down. Add your basil and let it melt into the tomatoes and sauce. I use my spatula to help break down the maters even more
- Once your pasta is done, ladle in about a 1/2 cup of pasta water and stir into your tomato sauce along with the parm cheese. Using tongs, transfer your pasta to the skillet and stir vigorously to incorporate the sauce and cheese together on the pasta
- Ladle in bowls and top with more basil and parm cheese. It’s time to DIVE IN!
Notes
- If you love cheese, feel free to add more. The same goes for the garlic. I felt this pasta recipe just kissed with that 1/4 cup of parm was perfection, but you do you! I love cheese and garlic and you’ll get ZERO judgment from me on your measurement preferences! LOL!