Pasta Pomodoro is a hands-down my family's favorite weeknight pasta! It's seriously quick and easy to make with the most simple ingredients. We all fight for seconds!
9ouncesSpaghetti or angel hair pasta (fresh if you can find it. Any other noodle of your choice works fine too)
Cooked shrimp or chicken(optional)
Instructions
Start a large pot of water boiling for pasta.
Heat the oil over medium high heat.
Saute the pressed garlic until golden and fragrant (if it burns wash your pan and start over).
Add diced tomatoes (and caned tomatoes if you're using those).
Season liberally with salt and pepper (if you are a garlic lover you can always throw a little garlic powder in as well).
Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until it cooks down a bit, stirring periodically.
Cook pasta according to package directions when the sauce is getting to the point that it's just about ready (or earlier if it's not fresh pasta since that takes longer).
Add Romano cheese, crushed red pepper and basil to the sauce toward the end of the cooking time, stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Drain the pasta and combine it into the sauce in the saute pan (you would add your shrimp or chicken if you decide to add those at this time as well).
Serve immediately with extra cheese and crushed red pepper on the side.