Pasta With Olive Oil And Tomatoes
Here’s a simple Italian pasta with olive oil and tomatoes that you can make all the time. It’s easy, ready in 30 minutes and really tasty!
Before sharing our recipe, let me answer the most common questions around olive oil and pasta.
Many of these are really important for you to know, so you can avoid making common mistakes that will make your pasta dish less delicious.
Can you put olive oil on pasta?
Yes, you can put olive oil on pasta. It can be used as a simple dressing for cooked pasta, often along with other ingredients like garlic, chili flakes, or fresh herbs.
Can I use olive oil instead of pasta sauce?
Yes, olive oil can be used as a minimalist pasta sauce. It can be warmed with garlic, red pepper flakes, or other ingredients to infuse it with flavor before being tossed with the cooked pasta.
How healthy is pasta and olive oil?
As a meal, pasta with olive oil is relatively healthy. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats which are beneficial for heart health. The key is to ensure the portion size of pasta is moderate, and that it’s made with whole grains for added fiber and nutrients. Pair it with vegetables or lean proteins to make it a well-balanced meal.
We suggest to use the highest quality extra virgin olive oil you can access, other than simple olive oil. If you want to know why, read this olive oil article.
We have many EVOO options, but the highest quality is our exclusive Novello. To know more about it sign up to our email list, and receive all the information when its season approaches (available for pre-order in October & November), or message us on our shop website.
Can I use olive oil instead of butter for pasta?
Definitely! Olive oil can be used as an alternative to butter in many pasta dishes. It provides a different flavor profile and is a healthier option due to its heart-healthy fats.
Do Italians put olive oil on their pasta?
Yes, Italians do dress their pasta with olive oil, particularly when they want a simple but flavorful dish. The key is to use high-quality extra virgin olive oil, such as Belmorso, which can significantly enhance the taste of the pasta.
Why do chefs put olive oil on pasta?
Chefs often drizzle olive oil on pasta not only to prevent it from sticking together, because it takes longer to serve in a restaurant than at home, but also to add flavor and give the dish a glossy finish. It helps to carry and blend the flavors in the dish, and complements many of the other ingredients commonly used in pasta recipes.
Should I put oil in my boiling pasta?
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to add oil to your pasta water. The idea that it prevents pasta from sticking is a myth. To prevent pasta from sticking, use a large pot with plenty of water, stir the pasta occasionally as it cooks, and avoid overcooking it.
Pasta With Olive Oil and Tomatoes
Here you go, a tasty Italian pasta with olive oil and tomatoes. Make sure to read it because there’s one ingredient that brings up the flavour.
We are using spaghetti, but you can use bucatini or linguine, and any short pasta from fusilli to farfalle.
Pasta with Olive Oil and Tomatoes
Equipment
- 1 chopping board
- 1 chopping knife
- 1 large pan
- 1 large pot
- 1 cheese grater
- 1 silicone cooking spoon
- 1 pasta ladle
Ingredients
- 300 gr Spaghetti con curva - Taste with Gusto
- 2 cloves garlic
- 25 cherry tomatoes
- 5 tbsp Belmorso Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 lt
- Pecorino cheese as much as you like
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Peel and chop the garlic. You can also mince it, if you prefer.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Sauté both in EVOO in your pan. At this point, you want to use 2 tablespoons out of the 5.
- Boil the water for the pasta and cook the spaghetti following the packaging instructions.
- Grate your pecorino, about a handful or 50 gr.
- Set some pasta cooking water aside.
- Drain the pasta and add it to your pan with the tomatoes, if large enough, or to your pot. In that case, you want to add the tomatoes you cooked in garlic.
- Add the rest of the Belmorso EVOO, some cooking water (3-5 tablespoons), and mix.
- Add the pre-grated pecorino cheese and mix well.
- Serve with some chopped fresh basil on top.
Notes
More Recipes With Olive Oil
Using a high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil like Belmorso or Novello instantly elevate any recipe!
Speaking of Novello, if you’re interested in buying it, the best way is to subscribe to our email list. That way, you’ll receive all the information about it (what it is, why it’s good, how to pre-order it, etc) and also the best prices. Our email subscribers get to pre-order it for a 20% discount! Sign up here.
All our Italian recipes feature Belmorso extra virgin olive oil, whether that’s the regular one or Novello. You can browse them here.
Below, I have selected a list of recipes where the star of the show is the EVOO and the main ingredient.
Chicken with Olive Oil
