🍅 Fresh Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce – Easy Step-by-Step Cooking Guide (Serves 4–5)

In this part, we’ll walk you through how to turn your homemade pasta into a delicious meal — from preparing the sauce and boiling your pasta just right, to plating it beautifully for serving.

🕒 Cooking Time

• Sauce Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking Fresh Pasta: 3–4 minutes
• Total Time: ~25 minutes

🧄 Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 800g canned whole peeled tomatoes (or 6–8 fresh ripe tomatoes, blanched and crushed)
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for deeper flavor)

For Cooking the Pasta:

• 500g fresh pasta (from Part 1)
• 4–5 liters of water
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, to prevent sticking)

Optional Garnish:

• Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• A drizzle of olive oil

🍳 Cooking Method

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, not browned.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
4. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
5. Stir in fresh basil just before turning off the heat.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt.
2. Gently place in your fresh pasta. Stir to separate strands.
3. Boil for 3–4 minutes or until al dente.
4. Drain immediately and reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.

Step 3: Combine Pasta & Sauce

1. Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce pan.
2. Toss gently to coat all noodles evenly.
3. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Step 4: Plate & Serve

1. Plate in warm bowls.
2. Top with grated cheese, extra basil, or olive oil if desired.
3. Serve immediately.

📦 Packaging for Ready-to-Heat Commercial Use

If offering pre-cooked pasta meals for retail or food delivery:

🔹 For Chilled or Frozen Meals:

• Use microwave-safe meal prep containers with two compartments (one for pasta, one for sauce).
• Let pasta and sauce cool separately before packing.
• Include a small garnish packet (cheese, herbs) if possible.
• Seal containers airtight using vacuum or heat-seal film.
• Label with reheating instructions and storage info.

🔢 Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

🍝 Pro Tips for Perfect Results

For the Pasta:

• Keep your dough rested and covered to avoid drying
• Use semolina flour when rolling to prevent sticking
• Fresh pasta cooks quickly — taste at 2 minutes to ensure al dente texture

For the Sauce:

• Slow-cook the tomatoes to deepen the flavor
• Finish with fresh basil off the heat to preserve its aroma
• A splash of reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling beautifully

💬 Final Thoughts

Crafting pasta from scratch and pairing it with a vibrant tomato basil sauce is more than a recipe — it’s a celebration of tradition, freshness, and care. Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or building a food brand, this dish tells a story in every bite. Let quality ingredients and thoughtful technique guide you, and you’ll create not just a meal, but an experience worth returning to.