Simple No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce with Angel Hair Pasta
There’s something so timeless and refreshing about a pasta dish that doesn’t require a stove-top sauce bubbling away for hours. This Simple No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce is one of those magical recipes that feels effortless but tastes like you’ve spent the day picking tomatoes straight from the garden and making something rustic and beautiful with them.
It’s the kind of dish I make when tomatoes are at their peak, the kitchen is already warm from the sun, and I want something bright, fresh, and flavorful—without breaking a sweat. The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes and brings that just-picked, peak-season tomato flavor straight to your plate.
Pasta with Simple No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce
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Equipment
- Mortar and Pestle optional
- Large Mixing Bowl
- 6 - 8 Quart Boiling Pot
- Colander
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 sm garlic clove
- 3 lbs tomatoes
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar optional
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 lb dried capellini (angel-hair pasta)
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling) optional
Instructions
- Mince garlic and salt and mash to a paste using a mortar and pestle or spoon in a small dish.1 sm garlic clove, 1 tsp salt
- Skin tomatoes.3 lbs tomatoes
- Core and coarsely chop two thirds of tomatoes and set aside
- Halve and core remaining tomatoes crosswise, then place in the food processor to get a nice pureed pulp.
- Toss tomato mixture with chopped tomatoes, garlic paste, lemon juice, sugar (if using), and pepper. Let stand at room temperature until ready to use, at least 30 minutes.2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp sugar, ½ tsp black pepper
- While tomatoes stand, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until al dente, about 2 minutes.1 lb dried capellini (angel-hair pasta)
- Drain in a colander and immediately spoon tomato mixture over the top of pasta.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Serve with fresh chopped basil and finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.½ cup fresh basil, finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
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Cooking Tips
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. Heirlooms, beefsteaks, or garden tomatoes work beautifully.
- If your tomatoes aren’t quite sweet enough, the optional sugar helps bring balance.
- Don’t skip the garlic paste—it mellows as it sits and brings a depth of flavor that raw chopped garlic can’t match.
- Let the sauce rest while the pasta cooks. It gives the flavors time to bloom and soften.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Box grater (for tomato pulp)
- Large chef’s knife and cutting board
- Small bowl and spoon (for mashing garlic)
- Large serving bowl (for tossing pasta and sauce)
- Pasta pot and colander
- Microplane (if using Parmesan)
Nutrition
Health Benefits
This dish is the perfect example of how simple, whole ingredients can offer both flavor and function—especially when we’re looking to support our health in midlife and beyond:
- Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced risk of heart disease and improved skin elasticity. Lycopene becomes more bioavailable when tomatoes are paired with healthy fats—like a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic supports immune function and cardiovascular health, and its anti-inflammatory properties are especially beneficial as estrogen levels shift with age.
- Basil and lemon juice add anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich properties that help reduce oxidative stress—important for maintaining energy and cellular health over time.
- Whole pasta (or gluten-free versions) can be a great source of complex carbs and fiber. Fiber plays a key role in hormonal balance, digestive health, and blood sugar regulation.
Final Thoughts
This no-cook tomato sauce is one of those beautifully unfussy recipes that reminds us how good food can be when we keep things simple. It’s loaded with fresh flavor, perfect for spring gatherings, and honestly feels like a reset for your palate after a long winter of heavier meals.
And for those of us navigating health, hormones, and energy in our 50s and beyond, this is a meal that brings comfort, nutrients, and pure joy to the table—all in under half an hour.
Let me know if you try it, and how you make it your own. I love hearing how these recipes come to life in your kitchens. 💛🍅