3-Ingredient Tomato Pasta 🍅🍝🧂 Ridiculously Simple, Purely Delicious — Just Tomatoes, Pasta, and Salt With Big Flavor

This dish is proof that less really is more. All you need is good pasta, canned (or fresh) tomatoes, and salt. The key is technique: simmer the tomatoes until concentrated, cook the pasta right in the sauce or toss it through with reserved water, and let starch and tomato cling together in harmony.

Use it as-is for a minimalist meal — or build on it with anything from garlic and cheese to chili flakes and basil.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

The core 3

• 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli — anything works)
• 1 (14 oz) can whole peeled or crushed tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
• Salt, to taste

Optional (but excellent) extras

• Olive oil or butter
• Garlic, chili flakes, or basil
• Parmesan or Pecorino
• Reserved pasta water for emulsifying

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Make the sauce
In a skillet or saucepan, pour in canned tomatoes (crush with your hands or mash with a spoon if whole). Simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes until reduced, thick, and slightly jammy. Season with salt to taste.

Step 3: Combine
Add drained pasta directly into the sauce. Toss to coat, adding a splash of pasta water if needed to help it cling and gloss the noodles.

Step 4: Serve hot
Eat as-is, or top with olive oil, cheese, or fresh herbs.

Flavor Variations

• Add 1–2 cloves garlic in the sauce for depth
• Stir in a spoon of butter or a drizzle of olive oil for richness
• Add red pepper flakes for heat
• Top with torn basil, oregano, or parsley
• Stir in grated Parmesan or a dollop of ricotta

Pro Tips

• Reduce the tomato sauce enough so it’s thick and sticks — not watery
• Salt the pasta water generously; it’s your only seasoning base here
• Crush whole tomatoes by hand for rustic texture
• Use bronze-cut pasta for better sauce cling

Final Thoughts

3-Ingredient Tomato Pasta is the ultimate minimalist comfort food — no extras needed, just technique and quality. It’s fast, flexible, and always delivers when you want flavor without the fuss.

Simmer it. Swirl it. Let simplicity shine. 🍅🍝🧂

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
• 🍅 Simple Pasta Recipes – Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor — pasta perfection without the fuss.
• ⚡ Easy Pasta Recipes – Weeknight lifesavers that deliver rich flavor fast, with zero culinary stress.
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🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
• 🧈 Alfredo Pasta Recipes – Rich and buttery Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these indulgent dishes.
• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.