Pasta Recipe
Make Pasta Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta and cooking liquids
Sauce base
Finishing & garnish
Method
Pasta and cooking liquids
- 1
Boil water and cook pasta
Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Add 12 oz dry pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just shy of al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Sauce base
- 2
Sweat aromatics
While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant, stirring so it doesn't brown.
- 3
Build tomato sauce
Stir in 2 teaspoons tomato paste and cook 1 minute to deepen flavor. Add the 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- 4
Season and reduce
Simmer the sauce 8–10 minutes, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Taste and add 1–2 teaspoons salt (from the total) and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If sauce becomes too thick, add up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
Finishing & garnish
- 5
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss over medium heat, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time as needed to help the sauce cling to the pasta (use up to the reserved 1 cup). Toss for 1–2 minutes until pasta is fully coated and al dente.
- 6
Finish with cheese and herbs
Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Stir in torn fresh basil leaves and 1 teaspoon lemon zest if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- 7
