Capellini Pomodoro (Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce)

Here’s a Capellini Pomodoro (Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce) recipe with instructions, followed by a calorie counter at the end:

Ingredients:

• 12 oz (340g) capellini (angel hair) pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 large ripe tomatoes, diced (or 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Extra basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Add the capellini pasta and cook according to package instructions (typically 2-3 minutes since it’s a thin pasta).
   • Drain the pasta and reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.
2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
   • While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
   • Add the diced tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes) to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and release their juices. Stir occasionally.
   • Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
   • If the sauce looks too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your liking.
3. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
   • Add the drained pasta to the pan with the tomato sauce.
   • Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. If needed, add more pasta water to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
4. Add Fresh Basil:
   • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil.
   • Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
5. Serve:
   • Serve the Capellini Pomodoro in bowls, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and garnish with extra basil leaves.

Optional Tips:

• If you like your sauce creamier, you can add a tablespoon of butter before tossing the pasta.
• You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.

Calorie Counter (per serving, recipe serves 4):

• Capellini pasta (12 oz): ~630 calories
• Olive oil (2 tbsp): ~240 calories
• Garlic (5 cloves): ~20 calories
• Tomatoes (4 large): ~120 calories
• Basil (1/4 cup): ~5 calories
• Red pepper flakes: negligible
• Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup, optional): ~100 calories

Total Calories (without Parmesan): ~1015 calories
Calories per serving (without Parmesan): ~255 calories

Total Calories (with Parmesan): ~1115 calories
Calories per serving (with Parmesan): ~280 calories

This simple dish is fresh, light, and full of flavor! Enjoy your Capellini Pomodoro!