A simple, classic dish that really hits the spot. Perfect for when you don’t know what to cook but want something comforting and delicious, fast.
I nearly always have tinned tomatoes and pasta in my pantry and it’s a short trip into the garden to pick some fresh basil, so I love that I’m never too far away from eating this dish!
If you don’t have access to fresh basil from your garden or market, you can of course used dried – or better yet, frozen. It’s not the same but it’s still good.
When I said that I have all these ingredients to hand at any given time, I’m including onions and garlic.
Because I “””cheat””” and use frozen diced onions and frozen chopped garlic. Seriously, a life saver.
If you’ve never come across these in the supermarket, have a look for them in the frozen veg section and pick them up because they will make your lives so much easier! No more onion tears.
This dish is:
- Vegetarian & vegan
- Easy to make gluten-free (just use gluten-free penne)
- Low in fat (only 0.9g per serving!)
- Low calorie and diet friendly (just 233 calories per bowl)
- Ready in 15 minutes!
📖 Recipe
Healthy Vegan Tomato & Basil Penne
A super simple, low-fat pasta dish filled with fresh basil. Delicious!
Ingredients
- 180 g / 6.4 oz dry penne pasta, gluten-free, if needed
- ½ small white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 x 400 g / 17 oz tin tomatoes
- A bunch of fresh basil, torn
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- (optional) 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of water to a boil and cook the penne, according to the packet's instructions.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce in a separate non-stick saucepan by frying the onion and garlic with a splash of water. Cook until softened, then add the tomatoes. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until reduced and thickened.
- Drain the pasta and add to the tomato sauce, along with the torn basil, salt and pepper.
- (Optional) Sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top for a subtle cheesy flavour.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 2Amount Per Serving Calories 233Carbohydrates 48gFiber 5.4gProtein 7.2g
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I totally agree, it’s so important to have a collection of go-to healthy dinners to turn to, which can be made with stuff you always have in the house. Definitely stops me making unhealthy dinners so often when I have an easy and healthy option like this! Looks yum.
Aimee says
Yeah and it’s much easier than people think! Thanks Becca :-)
Lucie Bright says
Is there anything more comforting than a simple pasta dish done well? I am not sure there is. This looks relish!
Aimee says
Thank you Lucie! Not sure you meant to but you left four stars with your comment?
Jenn says
Love this! We eat something very similar a LOT!! Frozen veggies are a lifesaver sometimes (as well as canned beans, quick cook rice, jarred minced garlic, etc – use them ALL the time!). There is no harm in taking healthy shortcuts if it means a home cooked meal vs. take out! This looks so good! I would eat that whole bowl and go back for seconds!
Aimee says
Absolutely! Frozen chopped garlic and onions are literally the most useful thing for cooking. And for when I really don’t feel like cooking, some frozen veg & curry sauce with packet rice is a life-saver. It’s always great to have that stuff in stock. Anyway, thanks Jenn :-) Have a great weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Simple deliciousness just can NOT fail to bring some comfort!
I don’t get personal about (anything really) on my blog anymore, but I DO know and I can 100% relate to chronic illness struggles <3 xoxoxo I do wish blogging brought me that same joy though :/
Aimee says
Haha WELL as much joy as it brings me – it does cause me a lot of stress too. But the pros tend to out-weight the cons, thankfully. Anyway, I love your blog and it brings ME joy :D xxx
Mara says
Ahhh, that look so good!
I sometimes suffer due to my thyroid hypofunction (I hope I found the right translation :D) from listlessness and weariness or just have some negative thoughts in general where I’m like “everything is pointless”.
Buuuut in such moments my blog really helps me because it shows me how far I’ve already come, what I already achieved. When other people comment on my posts or remake one of my recipes it’s a wonderful feeling and that definitely is a huge factor of me becoming more positive again! Moreover I absolutely love creating new recipes, baking, photographing them and putting together the finished post, thinking “I made this”.
Alright, I hope this wasn’t too confusing :D
Wishing you a great weekend and lots of love!
Aimee says
Thank you Mara! Yes, underactive thyroid is the worst, really zaps your energy :-( I’m so glad to hear your blog helps you in the same ways it helps me!
Keep on making beautiful recipes <3
Hugs xxx