Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce + All-Clad Sauté Pan Giveaway

There was a time when cooking looked like this: Grab jar of marinara sauce. Grab box of pasta. Get really fancy and cook ground beef in onions and garlic, then add marinara sauce. Boil water, salt, and drop in pasta. Drain pasta and serve with sauce. Yes, that was then. And I will admit, that is also sometimes now. But the difference is that back then, that jar of sauce was as mysterious as the Shroud of Turin.

I used to think that the a good sauce could only be achieved after hours and hours of mentoring from an Italian nonna. Preferably, an adorable, huggable nonna. The truth is, the mystery in a jar of sauce is really not that mysterious after all. It’s really all about simple ingredients.

So now, cooking looks more like this: Grab the ripest tomatoes. Snip the basil. Crush the garlic. And before you know it, a simple sauce is bubbling on the stove.

A simple sauce of crushed tomatoes makes for a rustic and easy weeknight meal, and one I wish I had learned long before I grew reliant on jars of sauce. Perhaps if I grew up in an Italian family, right? As I toss spaghetti into the sauté pan, I like to imagine that this is one of the first things a child learns in the kitchen. In my case, I didn’t learn this until after I was first married, but you can be sure that it is an easy meal I like to enjoy often.

Speaking of which, it’s time for my Wedding Registry Kitchen Must-Have Giveaway! This recipe works perfectly in my favorite pan in the world, the one pan I reach for time and time again: The All-Clad 3 Qt Saute Pan. I’ve already mentioned how awesome it is – and I’m so excited to be able to share one with one of you!

Wedding Registry Kitchen Must-Have Giveaway :: All-Clad 3 Qt Sauté Pan

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Becca H on winning a gorgeous All-Clad Stainless Saute Pan!

~~Ready to enter? Here’s how:~~

Please leave a comment below and feel free to share: What would you cook in this sauté pan?
Bonus entry: Share this page on Facebook and leave another comment saying so.
Entries/Comments accepted until 10 pm Pacific, Sunday, 5 August, 2012.

One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email.
This contest is open to US residents only, my apologies to my international friends!

Disclosure: In celebration of their newly launched Wedding Registry, Wayfair is generously sponsoring this giveaway by giving one winner an All-Clad Stainless 3-Qt Sauté Pan. I am grateful to their support and for making this giveaway possible. The author was not compensated for this post/giveaway. All opinions are strictly my own.

Please check out my Top Ten Wedding Registry Must Haves for my personal picks when starting out in the kitchen! Two more items from my list will be featured in giveaways next week! Be sure to check back next week for the next giveaway!

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients:

8 Roma tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish
1 lb spaghetti
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

In a large pot, boil water to cook your spaghetti.

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. When the garlic is a light golden color, add the sliced tomatoes and season lightly with salt and pepper. The tomatoes will begin to cook down; lower the heat to a simmer and let it cook until it is a chunky sauce, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving the liquid, and place into the sauté pan, allowing it to finish cooking in the sauce. Toss in the basil and cheese. Add reserved pasta liquid, if the sauce appears too dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with additional Parmigiano Reggiano grated on top.

by Liren on July 30, 2012

75 Comments

« Previous Post

Hannah — July 30, 2012 @ 5:49 am (#
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I’d love to make some bombay potatoes in the pan!
Heather — July 30, 2012 @ 7:23 am (#
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I would cook my husband’s favorite meal, Chicken Parmesan in my new pan!
Becca H. — July 30, 2012 @ 8:03 am (#
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I would love to use that pan to braise some tenderloin!
Becca H. — July 30, 2012 @ 8:03 am (#
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I shared on Facebook (Becca Heflin)
Mary — July 30, 2012 @ 8:03 am (#
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I would make Chicken Piccata first!
Kim — July 30, 2012 @ 8:06 am (#
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I would make fajitas!
Michelle — July 30, 2012 @ 8:10 am (#
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hello, pasta! I am meant to live in Italy at some point in my life. This looks so simple, and satisfying. I love keeping things that way. All clad pans are the best!! I would love using it to make this recipe :) plus sauteed potatoes, shrimp, and much more.
leslie — July 30, 2012 @ 8:19 am (#
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I would make lots of pasta sauces.
jennifer s — July 30, 2012 @ 8:23 am (#
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something with lots of garlic and butter ;)
jennifer s — July 30, 2012 @ 8:25 am (#
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shared on facebook too, thank you!
Stacie Fontinell — July 30, 2012 @ 8:33 am (#
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I would saute up some zucchini as we have tons of it!
Hanne — July 30, 2012 @ 8:38 am (#
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I would make Emeril’s Shrimp and Sausage Pasta in Essence Cream Sauce in my new pan!! I struggle to make it now because my saute pan is not quite big enough. It’s an awesome recipe!!
Hanne — July 30, 2012 @ 8:40 am (#
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I shared this recipe on Facebook, too.
Barbara | Creative Culinary — July 30, 2012 @ 8:57 am (#
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Your first sentence most likely rang true for a lot of people; I know it did for me. Now that I make my own sauce and know it’s not an all day affair, there simply is nothing better. Love the fresh basil; my poor basil is suffering from the heat but I’m hoping for enough this weekend for a dish…one guess what I’m thinking it must be?

I love All Clad and would saute onions, garlic and sundried tomatoes. To top more pasta. Since I have a full set; please don’t count me in your giveaway Liren, I just had to comment though!
Cassie — July 30, 2012 @ 10:00 am (#
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This is fabulously beautiful Liren! I love fresh tomato sauces. I think the first thing that I would make would be some alfredo sauce, I have been craving it lately!
Lawyer Loves Lunch — July 30, 2012 @ 10:09 am (#
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Can I make jam in this pan? No? Then I will likely make many chicken stir frys given that us our go to meal on busy weeknights!
Ally — July 30, 2012 @ 11:26 am (#
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Yum, I make a similar recipe but usually add a glug of red wine to the sauce while it’s cooking.

Contest- I would totally cook up some shaved brussel sprouts in cream sauce. :) My fav!
miki — July 30, 2012 @ 11:40 am (#
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The first thing I would probably make is carbonara. yum!
Cate — July 30, 2012 @ 11:59 am (#
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What gorgeous photos! I’d definitely make killer breakfasts with that pan. Bacon, eggs, potatoes…. the works!
M. — July 30, 2012 @ 12:49 pm (#
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I’d make my mother’s recipe for tomato pan sauce, with lots of basil!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) — July 30, 2012 @ 1:51 pm (#
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Gorgeous plate of pasta, Liren! I love the fresh tomato basil sauce. I’d make a fresh sauce with tomatoes, summer squash, and lemon ricotta.
tasha — July 30, 2012 @ 2:28 pm (#
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i’d make this sauce! it sounds wonderful. thx!
tasha — July 30, 2012 @ 2:31 pm (#
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shared on facebook. thanks so much!
Amanda H — July 30, 2012 @ 3:02 pm (#
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I’d make some spaghetti with clams! :)
Liz B — July 30, 2012 @ 3:31 pm (#
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I’ve been in a curry mood so shrimp in green curry!
Tim — July 30, 2012 @ 3:32 pm (#
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I would make some slow braised short ribs.
Jennifer (Delicieux) — July 30, 2012 @ 4:14 pm (#
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What a gorgeous simple dish Liren! I love recipes like this, simple ingredients really do shine. I love your gorgeous photos too.

Good luck to everyone entering the give away. :)
kankana — July 30, 2012 @ 6:29 pm (#
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I think any sauce taste much better when made at home. I never buy sauce or dressing but yes, there was a time when I used to :) Love the raw tomato photo with those pasta lying casually next to it!
Andrea Cathell — July 30, 2012 @ 8:30 pm (#
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I have met the love of my life and he is cajun so I want to cook up some etouffee for him preferably shrimp or crawfish
Julie — July 30, 2012 @ 10:47 pm (#
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The first thing that popped into my mind was fried rice. This recipe would be next!
kesha — July 31, 2012 @ 4:23 am (#
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I would make my daughters favorite spaghetti and meatballs!
kesha — July 31, 2012 @ 4:25 am (#
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I shared this giveaway on facebook
Sarah L — July 31, 2012 @ 11:04 am (#
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That sauce looks amazing! I would probably make a summer vegetable pasta or quinoa dish with vegetables from the garden.
Anne — July 31, 2012 @ 11:13 am (#
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I would make chicken marsala!
Amanda Thompson — July 31, 2012 @ 3:37 pm (#
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I would make Chicken Piccata
Norma-Platanos, Mangoes and Me! — July 31, 2012 @ 5:23 pm (#
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I would make veal ragu…Your pictures are stunning my friend…..
Alicia — July 31, 2012 @ 8:03 pm (#
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i would make THIS lovely recipe!
Ilan (IronWhisk Blog) — July 31, 2012 @ 10:57 pm (#
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Using fresh tomatoes is so much better!
Delightful pictures :)

I would make risotto – and pretty much everything else.
susitravl — July 31, 2012 @ 11:14 pm (#
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Pasta with Pancetta
joyce — August 1, 2012 @ 6:17 am (#
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i think i would make this sauce. it looks so good!
Jessica King — August 1, 2012 @ 7:40 am (#
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I’d cook some kind of pasta with lots of garlic and butter!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com — August 1, 2012 @ 8:55 am (#
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I want to make my own marinara sauce. Yum! :D
Ashlie — August 1, 2012 @ 9:35 am (#
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Well your dish looks pretty delish! But, I would probably saute some lovely summer veggies in olive oil with some tomatoes and basil because I can’t eat pasta :)
Priscilla - She's Cookin' — August 1, 2012 @ 10:15 am (#
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I use my very old (like 23 years – a wedding gift) 3 qt Calphalon saucepan for everything – including delicious homemade marina sauce like yours :)
Priscilla - She's Cookin' — August 1, 2012 @ 10:18 am (#
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Great giveaway, Liren. I shared on Facebook, too!
Francie — August 1, 2012 @ 10:53 am (#
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I think my bolognese sauce would cook down perfectly in this pan!
Rory W — August 1, 2012 @ 12:19 pm (#
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I think I’d want to start by making this exact recipe. Thanks for the chance to win!
Jessica L. — August 1, 2012 @ 12:52 pm (#
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I would love to make some awesome seafood in that pan!
Rebecca L — August 1, 2012 @ 1:41 pm (#
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I’d make some steamed clams with a white wine sauce!
Leslie P — August 1, 2012 @ 1:41 pm (#
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I would make chicken breasts with sauteed onions in mustard sauce
Leslie P — August 1, 2012 @ 1:45 pm (#
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I’ve shared this giveaway on FB

https://www.facebook.com/elle.rouge1/posts/256936281085133

Thank you
Julie — August 1, 2012 @ 3:11 pm (#
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I would make a chicken and rice stirfry thanks
Julie — August 1, 2012 @ 3:13 pm (#
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shared on fb Julie A Scott Laws
Sahar — August 1, 2012 @ 3:59 pm (#
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I would make caramelized onion and mushroom scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Lanesa — August 1, 2012 @ 4:10 pm (#
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I would make chicken fajitas :)
Holly — August 1, 2012 @ 6:17 pm (#
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I think I would cook a pasta dish like yours or perhaps with a creamy basil sauce. I love large and deep pans that can hold substantial quantities of food.
J @ ... semplicemente ... j — August 1, 2012 @ 6:54 pm (#
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Peperonata!
Andrea Lodevico — August 1, 2012 @ 10:07 pm (#
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Linguini & Clams
karen — August 1, 2012 @ 10:13 pm (#
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I would make paella in that beautiful pan!
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
Leslile Schneider — August 2, 2012 @ 3:27 am (#
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I would roast a variety of local fresh vegetables in olive oil and top with some fresh local goat cheese. Delicious.
Katie Sterling — August 2, 2012 @ 12:32 pm (#
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I would make a pasta dish with a Bolognese sauce.
Katie Sterling — August 2, 2012 @ 12:38 pm (#
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Shared on my facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/xkate13x
manda — August 2, 2012 @ 12:57 pm (#
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Great giveaway! I would cook lentils!
Deb — August 2, 2012 @ 4:16 pm (#
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I would sauté summer squash bit a touch of garlic and a splash of olive oil!
Sarah Kim — August 2, 2012 @ 7:02 pm (#
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I would cook veggies!
Kristin — August 3, 2012 @ 5:12 pm (#
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I love making homemade pasta sauce…this pan would make it soooo easy!
Kesha — August 5, 2012 @ 9:33 am (#
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I would make fettucini Alfredo
Liz Tuggle — August 5, 2012 @ 1:00 pm (#
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Would love to make spaghetti in this pan…thanks for doing this giveaway.
Liz Tuggle — August 5, 2012 @ 1:03 pm (#
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Shared on Facebook as Liz Morgan
Kristy — August 5, 2012 @ 1:42 pm (#
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The first thing I would cook in this pan is this recipe! It looks wonderful. I have tried several of your recipes and they are amazing every time. Thanks for being a reliable source of deliciousness! (The lemon curd is my favorite so far)
Ashton J — August 5, 2012 @ 8:00 pm (#
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I would fry an egg!
Alison — August 5, 2012 @ 8:30 pm (#
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Such a beautiful pan. Hmmm, I would make some stir fry!
P.J. Labanowski — August 6, 2012 @ 4:49 pm (#
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I would load it up with brussel sprouts and give them a light bath in bacon fat! Booyah!
Katie — August 6, 2012 @ 4:59 pm (#
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I would make all kinds of sauces!!
Susan Langley — August 7, 2012 @ 5:30 am (#
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Penne alla Vodka