Chitarrine alla Teramana with Tomato and Basil Sauce

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8 oz) chitarrine pasta 250g (8.8 oz) chitarrine pasta
• 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 500g (17.6 oz) ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced 500g (17.6 oz) ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 48g, 6g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the chitarrine pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until fragrant and golden.
3. 3.
   Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet and season with salt and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, or until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
4. 4.
   Stir in the torn basil leaves and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked chitarrine pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated in the tomato and basil sauce.
6. 6.
   Serve the Chitarrine alla Teramana hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomatoes — Choose ripe and flavorful tomatoes for the best taste. If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can use canned diced tomatoes as a substitute.
• Basil — Use fresh basil leaves for the most aromatic flavor. If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato and basil sauce.
• To enhance the flavors, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the finished dish before serving.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the tomato mixture in a food processor or blender before adding the basil leaves.

Serving advice

Serve the Chitarrine alla Teramana as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty Italian bread. It also pairs well with a glass of red wine.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a few whole basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an appetizing presentation. Serve it in shallow pasta bowls to showcase the vibrant colors of the tomato and basil sauce.