If you're looking for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner, seafood pasta with tomato sauce is a great option. This dish is a staple in Singaporean cuisine and is loved by many.
To get started, you'll need to prepare your ingredients.
The key to making a great seafood pasta is to use high-quality seafood. You can use a mix of prawns, squid, mussels, and fish for a variety of textures and flavours.
You'll also need garlic, onions, canned tomatoes, olive oil, and pasta.
Once you have all your ingredients ready, you can start cooking.
Cooking and serving seafood pasta with tomato sauce is relatively easy.
You'll start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, you can start making the sauce.
Sauté garlic and onions in olive oil until fragrant.
Add canned tomatoes and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Then, add your seafood and let it cook until it's done.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the sauce.
Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in sauce.
Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and enjoy!
Key Takeaways
- Use high-quality seafood for the best results.
- Sauté garlic and onions in olive oil for a fragrant base to your sauce.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and seafood for a delicious and easy meal.
Preparing Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking your seafood pasta with tomato sauce, you need to prepare your ingredients. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Selecting Seafood
When it comes to selecting seafood for your pasta, you have a lot of options.
You can use shrimp, fish, mussels, prawns, scallops, squid, clams, lobster, crab meat, or any other seafood that you like.
Make sure that the seafood is fresh and of good quality. If you are using frozen seafood, make sure that it has been thawed properly.
Creating the Tomato Sauce
The tomato sauce is the star of the dish, so you need to make sure that it is flavourful and delicious.
To create the tomato sauce, you will need canned tomatoes, tomato puree, olive oil, garlic, onion, sugar, basil, salt and pepper, chilli flakes, black pepper, and dried oregano.
To start, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the chopped garlic and onion and sauté until they are soft and fragrant.
Then, add the canned tomatoes, tomato puree, sugar, basil, salt and pepper, chilli flakes, black pepper, and dried oregano.
Stir well and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavours meld together.
Pasta and Additional Ingredients
You can use any type of pasta that you like, but linguine or spaghetti are the most common choices for seafood pasta.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until it is al dente.
Reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
To add some extra umami flavour to your sauce, you can add some of the reserved pasta cooking water to the tomato-based sauce. This will help the sauce cling to the pasta and give it a glossy finish.
Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the pan with the tomato sauce and toss well.
Add the cooked seafood to the pan and toss again.
If the sauce is too thick, you can add some more pasta cooking water.
Garnish your pasta with some fresh herbs and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious seafood pasta with tomato sauce!
Cooking and Serving
Bringing the Dish Together
Now that you have prepared the seafood pasta with tomato sauce, it's time to bring the dish together.
Start by heating up the sauce in a large pan and adding the cooked pasta to the pan.
Toss the pasta together with the sauce, making sure that every strand of pasta is coated in the delicious tomato sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved cooking water to thin it out.
Next, add the cooked seafood to the pan and toss everything together gently.
Be careful not to overcook the seafood, as it can become rubbery and tough.
Once the seafood is heated through, turn off the heat and let the pasta rest for a minute or two.
Garnishing and Side Dishes
When serving the seafood pasta, you can garnish it with some fresh parsley or basil leaves to add some colour and flavour to the dish.
You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top of the pasta to give it a zesty kick.
To complete the meal, you can serve the seafood pasta with some garlic bread or a side salad.
A side of red pepper or chilli padi can also add some heat to the dish.
For wine pairing, you can choose a light-bodied white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the seafood and tomato flavours.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to the pasta to keep it moist.
You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta to add some extra flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the simplest method to whip up a seafood pasta with tomato sauce?
The simplest way to make a seafood pasta with tomato sauce is to cook the pasta according to the package instructions, and then sauté some garlic and onions in olive oil until fragrant.
Add canned tomatoes, dried herbs, and a splash of white wine and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Then, add your seafood of choice and cook until it's done.
Finally, toss the pasta with the sauce and seafood, and serve with some grated Parmesan cheese.
Can you share some tips for making a slow-cooked seafood pasta in tomato sauce?
If you want to make a slow-cooked seafood pasta in tomato sauce, start by sautéing some onions and garlic in olive oil until soft.
Add canned tomatoes, dried herbs, and a splash of red wine, and let it simmer for at least an hour.
Then, add your seafood of choice and let it cook in the sauce until it's done.
This slow-cooking method will allow the flavours to develop and intensify, resulting in a rich and delicious sauce.
What are the key ingredients for a classic seafood marinara?
The key ingredients for a classic seafood marinara include canned tomatoes, garlic, onions, dried herbs (such as basil, oregano, and thyme), and a mixture of seafood (such as prawns, mussels, calamari, and white fish).
Some recipes also call for a splash of white wine or red wine to add depth of flavour to the sauce.
How long should you simmer the tomato sauce for the best flavour?
For the best flavour, it's recommended to simmer the tomato sauce for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
This will allow the flavours to develop and intensify, resulting in a rich and delicious sauce.
However, if you're short on time, you can also make a quick tomato sauce by sautéing some garlic and onions in olive oil, adding canned tomatoes and dried herbs, and letting it simmer for just 10-15 minutes.
What type of seafood works best in a pasta tomato sauce dish?
The type of seafood that works best in a pasta tomato sauce dish depends on personal preference, but some popular options include prawns, mussels, calamari, and white fish.
You can use a combination of these seafood types or just one, depending on what you have available and what you like best.
How can you ensure the pasta is perfectly cooked for a seafood pasta recipe?
To ensure the pasta is perfectly cooked for a seafood pasta recipe, start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
Add the pasta and stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking together.
Cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest, and then taste a piece to see if it's al dente (cooked but still firm).
If it's not quite done, continue cooking for another minute or so.
Once the pasta is al dente, drain it and immediately add it to the sauce and seafood, tossing everything together to combine.