Quick and easy pasta pomodoro is the perfect family dinner for when you’re short of time. Ready in just 30 minutes you’ll love this cheats version of the tasty Italian classic!
Folks, my quick and easy pasta pomodoro recipe is a cheats version of the favourite Italian classic.
The original pomodoro calls for the making of a homemade tomato sauce. My version uses cherry tomatoes to create a quick substitute sauce which saves both time and effort.
You can’t go wrong with a delicious hearty dish of spaghetti pasta smothered in a sweet cherry tomato sauce. Especially when you’re feeding a crowd!
Just like my favorite easy pasta arrabiata this satisfying dish is soon to become a family favourite!
So what exactly is pasta pomodoro?
Well put quite simply “Pomodoro” in Italian literally means “tomato”
Pomodoro is a sauce made from tomatoes, typically served with spaghetti. Although it can of course be served with other types of pasta.
Not to be confused with marinara sauce, the original pomodoro sauce is thick and smooth whilst marinara is runny and chunky.
Now, I’m in no way saying my version is the same as the classic pomodoro.
My version doesn’t involve making a thick sauce. Instead I’ve left my sauce with chunks of softenned cherry tomatoes in.
You could of course puree the cherry tomatoes once cooked and then stir in the basil leaves at part 3) of the recipe instructions below, if you wanted to but you know sometimes simple is best.
Simply toss the spaghetti into the cheats pomodoro sauce and serve topped with some parmesan cheese!
For This Pasta Pomodoro you may need……
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Equipment
This is the set of pans I recommend for cooking with.
The set includes 16, 18, 20 cm saucepans, 1 x 14 cm milk pan and 1 x 24 cm fry pan.
The pans are suitable for all hobs including induction.
They come with a 1-year guarantee which can be extended to a 10-year warranty when you register the product.
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Quick And Easy Pasta Pomodoro Recipe
Serve your pasta pomodoro with a fresh green salad.
You could also stir in some cooked chicken if you wanted to!
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
Quick And Easy Pasta Pomodoro
Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 g spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 275 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly grated black pepper
- 10 basil leaves chopped
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente.
- Whilst the pasta is cooking, in a large frying pan, gently heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently until lightly golden, about 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes and salt then cook, stirring for about 8 minutes at a medium heat until the tomatoes have broken down. Season to taste with the black pepper then stir in the basil leaves and turn off the heat.
- Strain the pasta but reserve a little of the pasta water and add the pasta to the large frying pan. Toss the pasta gently making sure it's fully covered with the sauce. Add a little of the pasta water if the mixture is too dry.
- Divide the spaghetti between plates and serve topped with the parmesan cheese.
Katerina
This recipe would be perfect for next summer, when we’re swimming in homegrown cherry tomatoes again! My kids love spaghetti with everything (or just by itself) so this is a perfect quick but cozy meal for us. Loving this, Neil!
Neil
Thanks Katerina. If you’ve got home grown cherry tomatoes then this dish is going to be even better. You can’t beat the freshness of your own garden can you?
David @ Spiced
We just planted 8 tomato plants in our garden, and I can’t wait for them to all start producing – 6 of them are some form of cherry tomato, so we’ll be all set to make this recipe! It’s an easy one, and we do love our pasta around here. I can already imagine sitting outside on the deck eating this for dinner. Perhaps with a good glass of wine? 🙂
Neil
I should think a glass of wine (or two) would be compulsory with this meal David! 😉
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
While I occasionally like some complex pasta flavours, there’s nothing better than simple summer combinations – you just need olive oil, garlic, herbs and optionally some vegetables. Perfection!
Neil
Thank you Ben! Yes I agree too, I do enjoy more complex pasta flavours but when I made this it was really hot outside and less effort was required for moving about. So that’s why I made it nice and easy. Of course now its more or less back to winter…..lol
Ron
We enjoy summer garden pasta and make them often. Your Quick and easy pasta Pomodoro looks to be a fast to the table and tasty weeknight dinner. I make a similar pasta, but add kalamata olives and squish up the tomatoes with all the ingredients (except the pasta) and pour over the hot pasta and toss. We’ll have to give yours a try when our local cherry tomatoes are ready.
Neil
Love the sound of adding kalamata olives to this simple pasta dish Ron! Thanks for your comment and for that inspiration there! Hope you guys are well. 🙂
Chef Mimi
Beautiful. Simple, yet great for company.
Neil
Thanks Mimi. Yes in these challenging times its nice to have some simple comfort food. 🙂
Jeff the Chef
You’ve got me looking forward to tomato season! I love simple, delicious dishes like these.
Neil
Thanks Jeff. Hopefully you’ll get some amazing fresh tomatoes to make this with. 🙂