Pasta Pomodoro

Pasta Pomodoro is a classic for a reason. With just a handful of ingredients you can have a hearty meatless dinner on the table in 20 minutes. 

When it comes to meatless dishes, I have to say, my guys aren’t usually fans. I try to cook meatless once a week and each time I get the dreaded “where’s the meat question?”

But not with pasta pomodoro.

When I make Pasta Pomodoro my boys gobble it up and there is no mention of the lack of meat. There is just something about the classic combo of tomato sauce, basil and pasta that make this dish a family favorite.

And it has been a favorite of my husband’s dating all the way back to our Olive Garden date night’s as teenagers. This recipe is my version of that restaurant classic.

What is pasta pomodoro?

Pasta Pomodoro, or Capellini Pomodoro as it is often called, could not be simpler. It is essentially thin pasta and a simple tomato sauce. In the case of this recipe, the tomato sauce is made with canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil and a little crushed red pepper for heat.

Capellini Pasta vs Spaghetti

Sometimes when I stand in the pasta aisle, I am amazed at all of the different varieties available.  There are different shapes, different sizes and different colors. For this dish you’re going to want to use a rod shaped pasta.

Rod shaped pastas are usually long pastas. And, to make things extra confusing, there are different thicknesses. You’ve got your bucatini which is a thick.  Then on the other end of the spectrum is your Angel Hair which is the thinnest. And traditional spaghetti falls somewhere in the middle. Most often, pasta pomodoro is made with capellini or angel hair pasta.

True “capellini” pasta is thinner than angel hair, but you are more likely to find angel hair pasta or thin cut spaghetti in your grocery store. Most long pastas will work well for this recipe. I would avoid the flat pastas like fettuccine or linguine and opt for “rod” cut pastas like spaghetti and angel hair.

My favorite thing about this capellini pomorodo recipe is that it is done in under 30 minutes. You can start the water for your pasta and by the time that it’s done, your sauce is done too. Then you can toss it all together and the dinner is served.

If you want to add some protein to this dish, grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp would be perfect!

Finally, because carbs are life, I always serve my pastas with a side of the best (and easiest!) garlic bread. And wine. Obviously.

Note: This post was originally written in 2008. Photos updated in 2018.

Looking for more pasta recipes? Check out some of my favorites!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Pasta Amatriciana 

Shrimp and Scallop Pasta

 Aglio e Olio

Pulled Pork Pasta