Pasta Pomodoro

When it comes to an easy, fast dinner, there’s nothing better than Pasta Pomodoro. Simpler to make than many traditional pasta sauces, pomodoro sauce focuses on highlighting fresh tomatoes by cooking them down just enough to become a light sauce and leaving many large chunks of tomato still intact. Enjoy this lovely fresh pasta dish topped with a mound of grated Parmesan, preferably outside, preferably with a glass of crisp white wine.  

Read on for tips on this weeknight pasta dish. Looking for more quick pasta recipes? Try this cacio e pepe– it’s one of our favorites. 

Why is it called pomodoro sauce?

“Pomodoro” means tomato in Italian, which means this literally translates to “tomato sauce.” Appropriate, considering this sauce is all about the tomato– right?

Is this sauce spicy?

Not really. It has a few crushed red pepper flakes, but they’re only there to provide a bit of warmth to accent the tomato’s natural sweetness. If you’re concerned about the spice level, add a tiny bit at a time, or leave it out altogether.

Can I use a different pasta?

Sure. With a light, relatively thin sauce such as pomodoro, we usually recommend a long-strand pasta. Spaghetti is, of course, the classic, but you could also try bucatini or angel hair pasta.  

What can I serve with pasta pomodoro?

Honestly? All we need is a block of parmesan cheese and a grater . . . but if you’re looking to add some more sides, we highly recommend this easy garlic bread– it’ll come together in less time than it takes your sauce to simmer on the stove.

Have you made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below! 

Editor's Note: The introduction to this recipe was updated on July 28, 2022  to include more information about the dish.