Pasta in Tomato Basil Sauce

 My son loves the flavor of basil leaves and very fond of pesto sauce pasta. So , I wanted to a try a combination of tomato and basil leaves, that gives the tanginess of tomato and also the flavor of basil leaves. The tomato basil sauce was an instant success and was very tasty and my son loved it a lot. Am sharing the recipe below. You can give it as lunch box food for your kid. 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 2 to 3 people

INGREDIENTS:

Penne Pasta - 2.5 cups ( 1 cup = 240 ml)

Basil leaves - 2 to 3 cups ( Approx., 150 to 200 gms)

Tomato - 2 medium sized

Garlic pods - 2 to 3 no.s

Veggies - 2 cup( I used red and yellow capsicum, baby corn, broccoli)

Salt - as required

Sugar - a pinch 

Black pepper powder - 3/4 teaspoon

Italian Seasoning - 3/4 teaspoon

Olive Oil - 2 tablespoon

METHOD:

1. In a large pot, take sufficient water. Add some salt. Once it starts boiling, add  penne pasta and cook for 10 to 11 minutes. Usually, pasta cooking time will be mentioned on the package cover. Just follow that to cook. Then filter the water. Wash the cooked pasta in running cold water . Also add a teaspoon of oil and mix well. These steps, helps to prevent the cooked pasta from sticking to each other. 

2. Meanwhile, In a wok, add some olive oil . Then add garlic pods, basil leaves, chopped tomatoes. Also sprinkle some sugar and salt. Sugar, helps to retain the green color of the basil leaves. Sauté them well, till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.

3. Allow them to cool down. Grind them to a smooth paste. 

4. Now in a wok, add some olive oil.  Now add chopped veggies. I used red and yellow capsicum , baby corn and broccoli. You can add any vegetable of your choice. 

5. Sprinkle some salt and water. Cover and cook in small flame . Please make sure they are 3/4 th cooked. No need to make the veggies too soft. The veggies should retain some crunchiness, inorder to taste better.

6. Now add the tomato basil paste, which you prepared in step 3. Mix well for 1 to 2 minutes.

7. Now add cooked pasta. Also add black pepper powder, Italian seasoning. Mix well. If you prefer cheese, You can add some shredded cheese to it. But if you are going to give this food as a lunch box menu, it is better to avoid it. Because, kids keep lunch box  usually outside and not refrigerated. Cheese may get spoiled , if stayed too long outside. So better to avoid shredded cheese. But if you are making this food, as a dinner at home, you can add shredded cheese. 

SEE ALSO:  Cheese Pasta, White Sauce Pasta, Pasta in creamy veg sauce