Better Than Olive Garden Pasta Pomodoro

Vina's Note:

I have always loved Olive Garden's Pomodoro. This is what I came up with when I experimented at home. This does not heat up your kitchen and is a light supper dish for those hot summer evenings. If you like spice, add some crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Just don't use anything but the freshest ingredients--you'll end up with something that tastes pasty/chemical/bitter/etc.

• Total Time: 11 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 6 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 lbs fresh garden tomatoes, medium dice (If you can't get garden tomatoes, buy the ripest Romas you can find at the grocery.)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaf (not dry)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces good quality finely grated parmesan cheese (no canned stuff!) or 4 ounces romano cheese (no canned stuff!)
• 12 ounces fine pasta, cooked (cappellini or angel hair)
• fresh ground pepper
• salt

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil over high heat and add garlic; saute for 30 seconds.
2. Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
3. Saute for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Add cooked pasta and chopped basil.
6. Toss gently.
7. Turn into serving bowl/dish, add 1/2 grated cheese, and toss again.
8. Serve immediately and pass the last 2 oz. of grated parmesan.

Reviews

[sugarpea]

Had this with meow's tortellini and it was terrific. I did add a bit of crushed red pepper and cut back on the olive oil. So fast, so simple, so delicious!

[#1NYYfan]

This is such a fresh, delicious and EASY recipe!! I made it for the first time last week - and my family has been begging for it again - so round two tonight! Love it!

[Lisa Lisa Ann]

Yep! 5 stars...this was just like eating out at a restaurant. I used 1/3 cup oil, 4 cloves of garlic, and linguini because that was the pasta I had available. I also used 3 frozed basil cubes, but fresh would have been better. Lastly, I added a splash of good balsamic vinegar towards the end. My husband said "fresh gourmet italian". Thanks for making it easy.