Pasta à la Sauce Vierge

Pasta à la Sauce Vierge is a delightful vegan French dish that combines al dente pasta with a fresh, aromatic sauce made from ripe tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. This light and zesty meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or linguine) - 150 grams
• Cherry tomatoes - 250 grams, halved
• Extra virgin olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Fresh basil leaves - 15 grams, chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Red chili flakes - a pinch (optional)

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften.
5. Stir in the chopped basil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes (if using), and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce.
7. Toss the pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.25 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from tomatoes and basil.
• Provides healthy fats from olive oil, which can support heart health.

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