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Home » Recipes

Pasta Alla Checca Easy Meatless Spaghetti

Apr 27, 2022Last Modified: June 14, 2022

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you you make a purchase using my affiliate link. This post is about Pasta Alla Checca, which is a delicious Meatless Spaghetti recipe!

spaghetti with tomatoes and basil leaves topped with grated Parmigiano Reggiano on a white plate with balsamic vinegar bottle and grated cheese in the background
Jump to:
  • Why You Will LOVE This Dish!
  • What is Pasta Alla Checca?
  • Ingredients Needed For This Dish
  • Easy Recipe Instructions
  • What To Serve With This Dish
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
  • Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!
  • Pasta Alla Checca Easy Meatless Spaghetti Recipe

If you are after a delicious and easy meatless spaghetti recipe, then STOP RIGHT HERE! Pasta Alla Checca fits your needs to a tee!

Why You Will LOVE This Dish!

Here are some reasons that you will absolutely adore this dish!

  • It's so quick! "Cook time" is about 15 minutes and great for busy days!
  • Great for Meatless Monday! There is no meat in this dish and makes for a wonderful vegetarian (with cheese) or easy vegan spaghetti (without cheese) dinner!
  • The only cooking involves the pasta! The pasta sauce is a no cook raw tomato sauce
  • This meatless sauce is SUPER EASY to make!
  • The flavors are out of this world delicious and your whole family will love it!

So, let me tell you a little bit about this meatless spaghetti dish which has become one of my favorite Italian recipes!

What is Pasta Alla Checca?

Pasta Alla Checca is an Italian pasta dish using raw fresh tomatoes which hails from Rome. This dish is typically cooked in the summer when temperatures rise and is the perfect summer dish!

Ingredients Needed For This Dish

spaghetti, thai chilies, mix of salt and pepper, 2 tomatoes, basil leaves, garlic cloves, Parmigiano Reggiano both grated and whole, bottle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar

You will need the following simple ingredients, which should all be available at your local grocery store, for this wonderful meatless meal:

  • Spaghetti noodles
  • Chopped or diced tomatoes
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Thai chilies or some red chili flakes if you like it spicy like I do!
  • Minced Garlic
  • Fresh basil leaves (both to include in the sauce and use as a garnish)
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Grated Parmigiano Reggiano for garnish (this is the REAL DEAL!)
  • Balsamic vinegar (just a splash at the end makes it perfect!)

As you can imagine, the success of such a basic recipe does depend on the quality of your ingredients. Therefore, choose ripe tomatoes, and preferably at their peak in the summer if you can!

Now let's make what may become one of your go to spaghetti dinners for pasta night!

Easy Recipe Instructions

Begin by combining your meatless spaghetti sauce ingredients in a large bowl and stir well. The sauce ingredients include the tomatoes, olive oil, chilies or red pepper flakes (if using), and some fresh basil leaves. Add some salt and pepper to taste.

For easier prep, you can use a food processor to mince your garlic cloves and Thai chilies (if using).

It's best if you can let this sit for around 15 -30 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

Mixture of diced tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper, basil leaves and chilies
a blue spoon holding a sauce consisting of olive oil, garlic, diced tomatoes, chilies, and basil leaves

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of water according to your package instructions and drain.

Now add the pasta to your homemade sauce and mix well. Taste and adjust for seasoning.

spaghetti with diced tomatoes, basil and garlic with blue tongs

Garnish with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, extra fresh basil leaves, and a light splash of balsamic vinegar.

If you would like to make this a vegan spaghetti recipe, then simply omit the Parmigiano Reggiano.

This healthy meal, which may just become your favorite pasta, is now ready to serve!

What To Serve With This Dish

spaghetti with tomatoes and basil leaves topped with grated Parmigiano Reggiano on a white plate

This dish pairs well with a lovely and colorful healthy salad, and some garlic bread if you'd like to indulge a little. 😊

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this gluten free?

Make this gluten free by selecting a gluten-free pasta.

Can I serve this as leftovers the next day?

This tasty recipe does taste great the next day! I simply heat it up (on a lower heat) in the microwave for a bit and it's totally delish!

Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!

The BEST Linguine With Pink Shrimp Sauce

Linguine With Pink Shrimp Sauce on a fork and salad in the background

Simple and Delicious Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe

Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!

If you'd like to come along on this food journey with me, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 😊

Cheers!

Grace

spaghetti with tomatoes and basil leaves topped with grated Parmigiano Reggiano on a white plate with balsamic vinegar bottle and grated cheese in the background

Pasta Alla Checca Easy Meatless Spaghetti Recipe

Grace
Pasta Alla Checca is a Roman meatless pasta which is super easy and delicious! Featuring a no cook pasta sauce which is great on hot days, you can have this on your table in about 15 minutes!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people
Calories 906 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl to add sauce ingredients and combine the pasta and sauce
  • 1 large pot to cook the spaghetti

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb spaghetti cook according to package directions estimated around 10 minutes

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes use ripe tomatoes, roughly 2 medium - large sized tomatoes
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 each Thai chilies minced; can sub red pepper flakes - this is optional and you can omit if you don't like it spicy!
  • 6 ea garlic cloves minced
  • few each basil leaves torn or chopped
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Garnishes

  • few each basil leaves torn or chopped
  • Parmigiano Reggiano  grated
  • Balsamic vinegar a splash or two!

Instructions
 

  • Begin by combining your meatless spaghetti sauce ingredients in a large bowl and stir well. The sauce ingredients include the tomatoes, olive oil, chilies or red pepper flakes (if using), and some fresh basil leaves. For easier prep, you can use a food processor to mince your garlic cloves and Thai chilies (if using). Add salt and pepper to taste.
    Mixture of diced tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper, basil leaves and chilies
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of water according to your package instructions and drain. Now add the pasta to your homemade sauce and mix well. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
    spaghetti with diced tomatoes, basil and garlic with blue tongs
  • Garnish with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, extra fresh basil leaves, and a light splash of balsamic vinegar if you fancy!
    spaghetti with tomatoes and basil leaves topped with grated Parmigiano Reggiano on a white plate with balsamic vinegar bottle and grated cheese in the background

Notes

Select ripe tomatoes for this dish.  Try to choose the best tomatoes that you can.  This dish tasted the absolute best when tomatoes are at their peak of season! 
If you have time, it's best if you can let the sauce sit for around 15 -30 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
Feel free to omit the Thai chilies or red pepper flakes if you don't like spicy food. 

Nutrition

Calories: 906kcalCarbohydrates: 122gProtein: 22gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 27gSodium: 365mgPotassium: 1048mgFiber: 8gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 312IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 251mgIron: 5mg
Keyword meatless spaghetti, Pasta, raw tomato sauce, roman pasta dish
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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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