Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

To avoid a watery sauce, choose tomatoes that are fleshy and have few seeds. Romas (aka plum tomatoes) fit the bill, but there are plenty of heirlooms with a similar flesh-to-seed ratio. The addition of cherry tomatoes brings a burst of sweetness to the dish.

Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Prep Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds plum and/or heirloom tomatoes, coarsely chopped

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved, divided

  • ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper

  • 1 ½ tablespoons rinsed capers, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, grated

  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound whole-wheat fusilli or orecchiette

  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

  1. Combine chopped tomatoes, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, capers, garlic, vinegar, salt, ground pepper and crushed red pepper in a food processor. Pulse until slightly chunky. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining 1 cup cherry tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

  2. Remove the tomato sauce from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to the sauce along with basil. Toss to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips

To make ahead: Refrigerate sauce (Step 1) for up to 2 days.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (56% daily value), Vitamin A (35% dv).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

269 Calories
6g Fat
49g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 269
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 7g 26%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 8g 15%
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Vitamin A 1736IU 35%
Vitamin C 33mg 37%
Folate 29mcg 7%
Sodium 476mg 21%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 21mg 5%
Potassium 392mg 8%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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