Pasta Recipe
Make Pasta Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Finish & Garnish
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil the pasta
Bring 4 liters of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt. Add 12 oz dried pasta and stir to prevent sticking. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is 1 to 2 minutes shy of package al dente (usually 8–10 minutes depending on pasta shape). Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) pasta cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander.
Sauce
- 2
Sweat aromatics
While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and soft, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to brown.
- 3
Build the tomato sauce
Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor. Add the 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon sugar (optional), and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to preference.
Finish & Serve
- 4
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained pasta to the sauce pan (or add sauce to the pasta pot) over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 cup (approx. 120 ml) of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen and help the sauce cling. Toss or stir vigorously for 1–2 minutes until pasta is well coated and cooked to final doneness. If the sauce seems too thick, add more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- 5
Finish and garnish
Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan and tear in 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, then serve immediately, passing extra Parmesan at the table.