Easy Pasta Pomodoro

It's ready in under 30 minutes.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated April 29, 2025
Laurel Randolph
easy pasta pomodoro in a dutch oven

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser

Key Takeaways

• Pasta Pomodoro is a simple Italian pasta recipe made with tomatoes.
• The ingredients for this version include spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, white wine, fresh basil, and optional red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese.
• The tomatoes are pan-roasted until they're softened and bursting.

Pomodoro means “tomato” in Italian, so the main ingredient and flavor in Pasta Pomodoro is exactly that: fresh tomato. In this recipe, cherry tomatoes are pan-roasted with white wine, garlic, and basil to create a light yet luscious sauce to coat tender pasta.

And while this easy pasta pomodoro tastes just like summer, cherry tomatoes are good year-round, so you can make this recipe whenever the mood strikes.

Using Canned Tomatoes

While classic pomodoro is made using fresh tomatoes, and quality cherry tomatoes can be had year-round, you can make this pasta using canned tomatoes. I recommend whole, peeled tomatoes since they are sweeter and create a more rustic, flavorful sauce.

Tips for Making Easy Pasta Pomodoro

  • Simmering whole basil sprigs with the tomatoes and wine amps up the flavor without the effort. Just throw them in there—no chopping required! 
  • Don’t forget to save your pasta water. Pasta water is a great way to add both flavor and consistency to your sauce; the starches from the pasta water help to thicken the sauce and coat the pasta better.
  • Transferring the cooked pasta straight from the pot to to the sauce means you don’t have to clean a colander and any water clinging to the noodles will help to thicken the sauce.
easy pasta pomodoro on two plates surrounded by glasses of carbonated water and a small bowl of parmesan

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser

Recipe Variations

  • Use whatever long pasta you like. Bucatini, linguine, tagliatelle, and even pappardelle would be lovely with this sauce. You can absolutely use shorter pasta shapes, but the chunky sauce will not coat the noodles as well. 
  • Bulk the dish up with some sliced, cooked chicken breast, crunchy chickpeas, or cooked shrimp. 
  • Some low-effort add-ins: chopped olives, chopped, marinated artichoke hearts, and drained and chopped roasted bell peppers. Or stir in some chopped fresh spinach along with the cooked pasta. 

Summertime Pastas

Easy Pasta Pomodoro

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 4 servings

This recipe was developed by Julia Levy

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound spaghetti

  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

  • 3 pints (about 2 pounds) cherry tomatoes

  • 1/3 cup dry white wine

  • 4 large basil sprigs, plus leaves for garnish

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning the pasta water

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. Cook the pasta:

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions for al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.

    cooked pasta in a colander next to a measuring cut with reserved pasta water for easy pasta pomodoro recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
  2. Meanwhile, make the sauce:

    While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil, the garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a large high-sided skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is sizzling and just starting to brown around the edges, 5 to 6 minutes.

    sliced garlic and pepper heated up in a dutch oven skillet for easy pasta pomodoro recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
  3. Add the tomatoes, wine, and basil:

    Increase the heat to medium-high and stir in the tomatoes, wine, basil, and salt. Cook, covered and stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened and bursting, about 5 minutes. 

    Uncover and use the back of a spoon to pop and mash the tomatoes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.

    cherry tomatoes, white wine, and basil added to the dutch oven skillet for easy pasta pomodoro recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
    pomodoro sauce bubbling in the dutch oven for easy pasta pomodoro recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
  4. Combine the pasta and sauce:

    Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta straight from the pot to the sauce in the skillet. Toss the pasta with the tomato mixture, 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until fully coated and the sauce is glossy, about 2 minutes. 

    If needed, add up to the remaining 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached. Serve hot with Parmesan (if desired) and more basil.

    The sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and tossed with the hot pasta and pasta water to serve. Leftover dressed pasta will keep for a day or two. Add a splash of water before gently reheating.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    easy pasta pomodoro in a dutch oven

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
    easy pasta pomodoro in a dutch oven on a wooden board at a table setting with glasses of carbonated water, bowl of parmesan, stack of plates, and a table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
375 Calories
18g Fat
44g Carbs
8g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 375
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 254mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 32mg 160%
Calcium 42mg 3%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 662mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.