A fresh, from-scratch tomato basil pasta made with simple ingredients and a subtle protein boost. This light, homemade dish delivers classic Italian flavor with balanced nutrition.
From-Scratch Tomato Basil Pasta
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 6 oz (170 g) whole wheat or high-protein pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups fresh tomatoes, diced (or cherry tomatoes halved)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 scoop Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate
- ¼ cup warm water (to dissolve protein powder smoothly)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan or nutritional yeast (optional)
Preparation
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until tomatoes soften and form a sauce.
- In a small bowl, whisk protein powder with warm water until fully dissolved and smooth.
- Stir the protein mixture into the tomato sauce and simmer gently for 1–2 minutes (do not boil aggressively).
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed for desired consistency.
- Finish with fresh basil and parmesan or nutritional yeast.
This from-scratch tomato basil pasta keeps things simple, fresh, and balanced. With whole ingredients and added protein, it’s comfort food you can feel good about, perfect for celebrating National Cooking Day.
