Complete Wheat Solar-Dried Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe

Pasta will get a nasty rap generally, however it may be a balanced dinner if you’re aware about what goes into it. These days, I’ve been leaning into feel-good variations of my favourite consolation meals, and this Complete Wheat Solar-Dried Tomato Basil Pasta is one I hold coming again to.

It’s my whole-grain tackle a basic tomato basil pasta, with further depth from sun-dried tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. It’s cozy with out feeling heavy and satisfying with out feeling restrictive. In case you’re feeding the entire household and attempting to strike that stability between healthful and crowd-pleasing, that is the type of pasta that does each nicely.

This pasta retains issues easy, however every ingredient performs an necessary position in constructing taste and texture:

• Solar-dried tomatoes: These add concentrated, barely candy tomato taste and a chewy chew that makes the dish style richer. I choose oil-packed for higher texture and mixing. Simply drain them earlier than utilizing! If utilizing dry-packed tomatoes, soak them in heat water for 10 minutes to melt.
• Contemporary basil: This herb provides brightness and a barely peppery end that balances the richness of the olive oil. Contemporary is vital right here over dried basil. Search for vibrant inexperienced leaves and stir them in on the finish to maintain the flavour contemporary.
• Almond milk: This may appear sudden in a pasta sauce, nevertheless it provides a delicate creaminess as an alternative choice to pasta water. I exploit unsweetened, plain almond milk so the flavour stays savory. Any unsweetened non-dairy milk would work, too.
• Olive oil: A superb-quality extra-virgin olive oil makes a distinction right here as a result of it’s the bottom of the sauce. If I’ve a jar of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, I’ll generally use a little bit of that oil for much more taste.
• Complete wheat linguine: Complete wheat pasta provides extra fiber and a barely nutty taste. It additionally has a heartier texture to make the dish really feel extra satisfying. I cook dinner it simply to al dente, so it holds up when tossed with the sauce. 

I like this one with linguine, however should you love penne, attempt my 30-Minute Pasta Primavera. Fussili followers, attempt my Vegan Pasta Bake With White Wine Pasta Sauce.

How you can Make Tomato Basil Pasta

This pasta dish comes collectively in just a few easy steps, however a few small ideas make all of the distinction in taste and texture. Right here’s how I do it.

Prepare dinner the entire wheat linguine in a big pot of well-salted water till simply al dente. Complete wheat pasta cooks from excellent to mushy rapidly, so I begin checking it a minute earlier than the field suggests. It needs to be tender however nonetheless barely agency within the heart so it holds up when tossed with the sauce.

Add the garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, almond milk, salt, and pepper to a blender and mix till largely easy. I just like the sauce silky however not fully puréed. A bit of texture from the tomatoes provides it character. If it seems too thick, add a splash extra almond milk to loosen it. It needs to be pourable however nonetheless cling to a spoon.

Sauté the sliced onion in olive oil till it’s mushy and translucent, then add the cooked pasta and blended sauce on to the saucepan or massive skillet. Toss all the things collectively over low warmth so the sauce coats each strand with out drying out. 

Stir within the contemporary basil leaves and additional chopped sun-dried tomatoes on the finish for brightness and texture. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan, cracked black pepper, and an additional drizzle of balsamic for a sweet-savory pop!

This recipe is tremendous straightforward to tweak relying on what I’ve within the fridge or who I’m feeding. If I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, I’ll sauté contemporary cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes till they blister and soften. The flavour will probably be lighter and fewer concentrated, however nonetheless scrumptious. 

For a deeper tomato taste with out the chew, a spoonful of tomato paste blended into the sauce additionally works fantastically. I like complete wheat pasta for the additional fiber and nuttier taste, however common linguine works simply high quality, too. 

To spice up the protein and make it a extra filling predominant course, I’ll add:

• Grilled or baked hen breast, sliced skinny, and tossed in on the finish.
• Tofu, white beans, or chickpeas for a plant-based choice.
• Italian sausage, if I would like one thing heartier and extra indulgent.

Bonus: Including protein to this recipe provides round 6 servings as a substitute of 4. Profitable! 

How you can Serve It

This pasta is simple to decorate up or down. It really works simply as nicely for a easy household favourite on weeknights because it does at a cocktail party with mates. Listed here are my favourite methods to serve it:

In case you’re serving wine, a relaxing sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio pairs fantastically with the basil and balsamic flavors. This pasta additionally reheats nicely, making it nice for lunches all through the week. I’ll portion it into containers and add protein on prime for straightforward grab-and-go meals.

Retailer pasta in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days. The sauce will thicken barely within the fridge, which is completely regular. I choose reheating it on the stovetop over low warmth with a splash of almond milk, water, or perhaps a drizzle of olive oil to loosen the sauce. Stir gently till warmed by.

It’s also possible to freeze it for as much as 2 months, although the feel of the entire wheat pasta could soften a bit as soon as thawed. For greatest outcomes, let it cool fully earlier than transferring to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

If I do know I’m making this complete wheat vegetable pasta particularly for meal prep, I’ll barely undercook the pasta the primary time so it holds up higher when reheated.

Extra Wholesome Pasta Recipes to Attempt

Ought to I add the contemporary basil earlier than or after cooking?

I wish to stir in contemporary basil on the very finish, simply earlier than serving. This retains the flavour vivid and fragrant, and prevents it from wilting or shedding its vibrant colour.

Can I serve tomato basil pasta chilly, like a pasta salad?

Lengthy noodles like linguine may be served chilly, however they clump collectively greater than brief, sturdy noodles like penne, rotini, or orzo. Attempt my Orzo Pasta Salad With Roasted Veggies for a picnic-friendly pasta. Love orzo? My Creamy Tomato Orzo Pasta is one other one in every of my favourite recipes.

How can I customise or range this tomato basil pasta recipe?

There are many straightforward swaps and add-ins to make this pasta your personal. 

• Use contemporary backyard tomatoes or Roma tomatoes as a substitute of sun-dried for a lighter sauce. 
• Select common or whole-wheat white pasta.
• Add protein like grilled hen, shrimp, tofu, or beans. 
• Sneak in further veggies like zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, or extra contemporary tomatoes to spice up vitamin and colour.
• Add crimson pepper flakes should you like somewhat warmth in your predominant dishes.