Angel Hair Pasta With Quick Tomato Sauce
A light and flavorful angel hair pasta dish featuring a quick tomato sauce with fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic in water with the bouillon cubes until fragrant.
- Add chopped tomatoes and fresh basil; cook gently for approximately 10 minutes.
- Stir in pine nuts and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour the sauce over cooked angel hair pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the sauce while cooking. If you don't have chicken bouillon, vegetable bouillon or homemade broth can work as substitutes. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. For a nut-free version, you can skip the pine nuts or replace them with toasted sunflower seeds.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the angel hair pasta with quick tomato sauce topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of additional basil for garnish. Pair it with a simple arugula salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. This dish also pairs beautifully with Chicken With Prosciutto And Cheese for a complete Italian meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Angel Hair Pasta With Quick Tomato Sauce contains roughly 201 calories, with 5g protein, 20g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (74% of the Daily Value) and vitamin A (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1288mg per serving (56% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, canned tomatoes can be a great alternative, especially when fresh tomatoes are out of season. Use about 2 cans of diced tomatoes, draining excess liquid if necessary. The cooking time may be slightly reduced since canned tomatoes are already cooked.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, simply substitute the chicken bouillon with vegetable bouillon. This will maintain the flavor while keeping it meat-free. You can also add more vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for added nutrition.
What type of pasta can I use if I don't have angel hair?
If you don't have angel hair pasta, spaghetti or thin linguine can be excellent substitutes. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta you choose to ensure it's cooked to your desired texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).