Tomato Basil Pasta

Over the past few months, my husband and I have been trying to have a vegetarian meal one night a week. I know- to some people that is a crime! Being vegetarian is not necessarily healthy, but it is very economic and is healthy when done right. Since it is summer, vegetarian night has become one of my favorites. Veggies are just so darn good right now! This is also, yet another tomato and basil dish. I promise that with fall on the way, I'll stop posting about tomatoes. I will have to because our garden is slowing down and will be finished producing soon, but until then... I invite you to humor me with one more tomato dish and to try this vegetarian meal this week!

 

Here is one of my favorite mid-week vegetarian meals.

 

Tomato-Basil Pasta

1. Use this blog to to prepare your tomatoes. You need about 3-4 cups of raw, cut tomatoes. Follow the directions of the blog until your tomatoes are cooked. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil for pasta. Once boiling, add a dash of salt, one tsp. olive oil, and desired amount of pasta. I use whole-wheat pasta for the extra protein (something you need, but miss out on with sans-meat meals).
2. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. of pepper. Pour tomato sauce in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. In the same pot, add 1 tbsp. olive oil. Saute one clove of garlic for about 1 minute on medium-low heat.
4. Add tomatoes back to the pot and add 1/2 c. of chopped basil. Cook for about 3 minutes on medium heat. If you like a smoother consistency, you can pop this mixture in the blender and make it as smooth as you like!

5. Place pasta in bowls, spoon sauce on top, and top with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an extra bit of decadence.

 

 We did enjoy this meal without meat, but it is perfectly okay (and delicious) to add a grilled chicken breast seasoned with Italian seasonings. Also, if you don't want to prepare fresh tomatoes, a can of whole tomatoes works too. Just cut them to the consistency you want.

Happy Eating!