No-Cook Tomato and Basil Pasta

Name: No-Cook Tomato and Basil Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning blend; 8 oz spaghetti; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving

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A light, fresh Italian pasta made with a marinated no-cook tomato sauce that relies on peak-season tomatoes, garlic, and basil for all its flavor. Hot spaghetti warms the uncooked sauce while keeping its bright, raw freshness intact.

🌍Italian 🏷️No-cook sauce 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Tomato basil pasta 🏷️Spaghetti Fresh tomato sauce

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Total

20 min

Servings

Recipe Source

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From TikTok · by carlys_cookbook

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Ingredients

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2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Italian seasoning blend
8 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving

7 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil.
2
Pour in the olive oil and sprinkle with the Italian seasoning blend.
3
Stir everything together to combine. Let the sauce marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer for more flavor.
4
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining.
5
Add the hot, cooked spaghetti directly to the bowl with the tomato sauce.
6
Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
7
Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated with the sauce. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to help the sauce cling to the noodles.
8
Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Marinate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before adding to pasta; this allows flavors to meld and tomato juices to release.
Toss the hot pasta with the cold sauce immediately off the heat—the residual warmth will gently temper the sauce without cooking it.
Use the finest quality olive oil you have; it carries much of the dish's flavor when there's no cooking involved.
Add pasta water (1–2 tbsp) to the sauce just before tossing if it seems too thick or dry.

Substitutions

Spaghetti → linguine, bucatini, or penne (shapes with grooves hold the sauce better)
Fresh basil → fresh oregano or a mix of basil and parsley (adjust quantities; oregano is more assertive)
Italian seasoning blend → omit and rely on fresh garlic and basil alone for a cleaner flavor

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover sauce (without pasta) in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Sauce does not reheat well; serve chilled as a side or use in other dishes. Do not make ahead with cooked pasta.

Common Questions

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the sauce up to 4 hours ahead and let it marinate at room temperature. Add the pasta just before serving to keep it from becoming soggy.

What if my tomatoes aren't very flavorful?

This dish depends entirely on tomato quality. Use the ripest, most fragrant tomatoes you can find. Cherry or heirloom varieties work better than off-season supermarket tomatoes.

Should I peel the tomatoes?

No peeling required for this recipe. Finely chop them and let any juices release into the sauce as it marinates.

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Fresh basil is essential to the flavor of this dish. Dried basil lacks the brightness and aroma that make the sauce work. Substitute is not recommended.