Marinara Pasta (serves 4)
Description
A simple and flavorful marinara pasta made with fresh tomato purée, green pepper, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. The sauce is light, fresh, and slightly spicy, making it an easy everyday pasta that still tastes homemade and comforting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups dry pasta
- Water, for boiling
- Salt, for boiling the pasta
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, for boiling the pasta
- 3 cups fresh tomato purée, made by blending 8–10 ripe tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small green bell pepper, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or crushed red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water
- A few fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Add the chili flakes and green bell pepper and sauté for about 1 minute.
- Add the fresh tomato purée and stir well.
- Add the oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and salt.
- Cook the sauce uncovered over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces slightly and thickens.
- Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and sugar.
- Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the marinara sauce.
- Add the fresh basil leaves and mix gently.
- Turn off the heat and serve hot.