Mediterranean Basil Pasta
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean Basil Pasta, a dish that brings the fresh, bold tastes of the Mediterranean straight to your table. Featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a luscious garlic and olive oil sauce, this recipe is bursting with juicy blistered cherry tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Fresh basil infuses the dish with an herby brightness, while crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy one-pan recipe is perfect for busy evenings and pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine or a simple green salad. It’s a light yet satisfying vegetarian pasta dish that will delight your taste buds and transport you to the shores of the Mediterranean with every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g spaghetti
- 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 count garlic cloves
- 300 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 100 g kalamata olives (pitted and sliced)
- 100 g feta cheese (crumbled)
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 4 liters water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8–10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly blistered.
Stir in the red pepper flakes, kalamata olives, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the cooked spaghetti.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet. Toss with the tomato mixture until well combined, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a silky sauce.
Tear the fresh basil leaves roughly and stir them into the pasta right before serving.
Divide the pasta among serving plates, then sprinkle each plate with crumbled feta cheese.
Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, bright flavors of this Mediterranean-inspired dish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1679 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 98.6 g | 126% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.5 g | 127% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 89 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 4402 mg | 191% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 152.1 g | 55% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.8 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.5 g | ||
| Protein | 43.9 g | 88% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 942 mg | 72% | |
| Iron | 11.5 mg | 64% | |
| Potassium | 1178 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
