Basil Pasta Sauce
Basil Pasta Sauce offers a flavorful combination of mushrooms, green onions, garlic, and Italian sausage in a rich tomato base with fresh basil. This hearty, aromatic sauce is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, pairing beautifully with your favorite pasta for a satisfying and savory meal.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, minced ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons white wine or chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 pound bulk Italian sausage, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste ⓘ
- Hot cooked fettuccini or pasta of choice ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, sauté the sliced mushrooms, green onions, and minced garlic in oil until tender.
- Add the diced tomatoes with garlic and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked and drained Italian sausage and tomato paste; heat through.
- Add the minced fresh basil and salt; stir to combine.
- Serve the sauce over hot cooked pasta.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. You can substitute the Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a lighter option, or use mushrooms as a vegetarian alternative. Fresh basil is key for this dish, but if unavailable, dried basil can be used in a pinch, though the flavor will be less vibrant.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the basil pasta sauce over hot fettuccini or your pasta of choice, such as penne or spaghetti. This sauce pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal. For a heartier option, try it with a side of Tasty Sausage And Peppers for a delightful Italian-inspired dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it appears too thick. The sauce can also be frozen for up to 2 months; just thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Basil Pasta Sauce contains roughly 195 calories, with 14g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (156% of the Daily Value), vitamin D (131% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (52% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 626mg per serving (27% 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 make this sauce vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this sauce vegetarian by omitting the Italian sausage and adding more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. You can also replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth to maintain the depth of flavor.
What type of pasta works best with this sauce?
Fettuccini is a great choice for this sauce, but you can use any pasta you prefer. Other options like penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle work well, as they hold the sauce nicely. Choose based on your personal preference or what you have on hand.
How do I enhance the flavor of the sauce?
To enhance the flavor of the sauce, consider adding freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving. A touch of lemon juice can also brighten the dish. Additionally, fresh herbs like parsley or oregano can be stirred in just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
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).