Family-Friendly
Classic Tomato & Basil Macaroni
The recipe that taught most of us to cook. Tinned tomatoes simmered with garlic and olive oil, finished with torn basil, and tossed through Cibo di Italia Macaroni. Twenty minutes, one pan, and dinner on the family table.
Ingredients
- 400 g Cibo di Italia Macaroni
- 800 g chopped tomatoes — two 400g tins, good quality
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 pieces garlic cloves — thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sugar — balances the acidity
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes — optional, leave out for kids
- 1 piece large handful fresh basil — leaves torn, stems chopped
- to taste salt and black pepper
- 40 g parmesan or pecorino — optional, grated to serve
Method
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Step 1. Bring 4 litres of salted water (2 tbsp salt) to a rolling boil in a large pot.
8 min
-
Step 2. Warm the olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, basil stems, and chilli flakes; cook 90 seconds until just sizzling, never browned.
2 min
-
Step 3. Pour in both tins of tomatoes. Half-fill one tin with water, swirl, and add that too. Stir in the sugar and a generous pinch of salt.
1 min
-
Step 4. Simmer the sauce uncovered for 12 minutes, stirring now and then, until thickened and glossy. Crush any large pieces with the back of a spoon.
12 min
-
Step 5. Meanwhile, drop the macaroni into the boiling water and set a timer for 8 minutes. Taste at 7 for al dente.
8 min
-
Step 6. Scoop out a mug of pasta water. Drain the macaroni and tip it straight into the sauce pan.
1 min
-
Step 7. Toss everything together for 1 minute over low heat, loosening with pasta water until the sauce clings to every piece. Tear in most of the basil leaves.
1 min
-
Step 8. Serve in warmed bowls, topped with the remaining basil and a shower of parmesan if you like.
Goes well with
Fresh lemonade with crushed mint and a splash of sparkling water.
Garlic bread, or a green salad with a sharp vinaigrette.
Vanilla ice cream with warm berries.
Nutrition
Scaled to your servings
- 553kcalCalories28%
- 74.6gCarbohydrate29%
- 18.5gProtein37%
- 20.3gFat29%
The pasta we used
Cibo di Italia Macaroni
500g · Cooks in 8–10 minutes · Serves ~5
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