Pasta with Basil-Garlic Sauce
Last Updated on May 29, 2023 by Heather Reseck
This fast and flavorful pasta with basil-garlic sauce works especially well with rotini pasta. Use chickpea pasta or add beans and veggies to turn it into a main dish.
Start by cooking 8 ounces gluten-free whole-grain or chickpea rotini according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, place 1 recipe Basil-Garlic Sauce Mix in a small bowl. Rub the mix between your fingers to crush the leaves and release the herb flavors.
Stir in 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon olive oil; set aside for at least 5 minutes.
Drain the pasta. Return the empty saucepan to the burner. Pour in 1½ cups water and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium.
Stir the sauce mixture to redistribute seasonings and then stir into the saucepan, stirring constantly, and cook until the flour is cooked, and sauce is slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the drained pasta. Heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
Serving Idea: Serve with tofu cutlets, asparagus, and a green salad.
Variations:
- Other Pasta: Substitute 8 ounces of other pasta shapes or other types of pasta—chickpea, wheat, etc.
- Oil-Free: Omit oil.
How to Turn Pasta with Basil-Garlic Sauce into a Plant-Based Main Dish
- Use chickpea pasta or add 1 cup cooked white beans or chickpeas to the sauce at the same time as the pasta.
- Add vegetables such as halved grape tomatoes, cooked or roasted broccoli or cauliflower florets, cooked sliced mushrooms, cooked chopped onions, cooked quartered artichoke hearts, or sliced olives.
- If desired, top with pine nuts, or chopped toasted walnuts.
- Serve with salad or raw vegetables for a complete meal.
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Pasta with Basil-Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- Salt optional
- 1 Basil-Garlic Sauce Mix
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 cups water
- vegan parmesan for serving, optional
Instructions
- Heat water to boiling in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add salt, if desired. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, pour the Pasta with Basil-Garlic Sauce Mix into a small bowl. Rub the mix between your fingers to crush the leaves and release the herb flavors. Stir in ¼ cup water and the oil; set aside for at least 5 minutes.
- Drain the pasta. Return the empty saucepan to the burner. Pour in 1½ cups water and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium.
- Stir seasoning mixture to redistribute seasonings and then stir into the saucepan, stirring constantly and cook until the flour is cooked, and sauce is slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the drained pasta. Heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- If desired, serve with non-dairy Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 cups; 8 (½ cup) servings.
Notes
- Other Pasta: Substitute 8 ounces other pasta shapes or other types of pasta—chickpea, wheat, etc.
- Oil-Free: Omit oil.
- Pasta with Basil-Garlic Sauce Main Dish: Use chickpea pasta or add 1 cup cooked white beans or chickpeas to the sauce at the same time as the pasta. Add vegetables such as halved grape tomatoes, cooked or roasted broccoli or cauliflower florets, cooked sliced mushrooms, cooked chopped onions, cooked quartered artichoke hearts, or sliced olives. If desired, top with pine nuts, or chopped toasted walnuts. Serve with salad or raw vegetables.
