Fresh Tomato And Basil Sauce
A fresh and flavorful Italian-inspired tomato and basil sauce with garlic, white vermouth, and butter, perfect for tossing with pasta and garnishing with extra basil.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium noncorrosive skillet.
- Add minced garlic and cubed tomatoes; cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes are softened.
- Add dry white vermouth and cook on high heat until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and cook on high heat for 2 minutes longer until sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in freshly ground black pepper, salt, and chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
- Toss the sauce with hot pasta in a serving bowl.
- Garnish with additional chopped basil leaves.
- Pass grated Parmesan cheese for each person to sprinkle to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more intense flavor, consider roasting the tomatoes before adding them to the sauce. If you don't have white vermouth, dry white wine can be used as a substitute. Fresh basil is essential for this recipe, but if it's not available, you can use a smaller amount of dried basil. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning as you go.
Serving Suggestions
This fresh tomato and basil sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta; try it with spaghetti or any shape you love. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad or garlic bread. Grated Parmesan cheese is a wonderful finishing touch, enhancing the dish's flavors. Consider browsing more Italian recipes to find complementary sides.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the sauce from separating. You can add a splash of chicken broth or water to help loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fresh Tomato And Basil Sauce contains roughly 114 calories, with 10g protein, 15g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (80% of the Daily Value), calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2008mg per serving (87% 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, you can use canned tomatoes in this recipe. Opt for high-quality whole peeled tomatoes, and drain them before chopping. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly, as canned tomatoes are already cooked. Adjust the seasoning to your taste since canned tomatoes can be saltier.
How can I make this sauce vegetarian?
To make this sauce vegetarian, simply replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. This will maintain the sauce's flavor while keeping it suitable for a vegetarian diet. You can also enhance the umami flavor by adding a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of nutritional yeast.
What pasta works best with this sauce?
While this sauce is versatile, it pairs particularly well with long pasta like spaghetti or linguine. The sauce clings beautifully to the strands. However, feel free to experiment with other types such as penne or fusilli, which can also hold the sauce well. Just choose your favorite pasta!
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).