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Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Olive-Tomato Sauce—A Rural Italian Staple.

Cooks' Note

This hearty pasta dish is topped with a simplified version of a traditional Italian olive and tomato sauce. Because the sauce is brimming with chunks of vegetables, you needn’t use an inordinate quantity of pasta. Be sure to choose an organic whole-wheat pasta, not one that has been made from refined flour. Use whole-wheat fettucine if you prefer.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
6 large cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup dry white wine
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped black olives
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and onion and cook, stirring constantly, until the onion is golden and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and continue to cook and stir until it gives off an aroma, about 30 seconds. Add the wine and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, olives, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook until a thick sauce forms, 15 to 17 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water (about 8 cups) to a boil. Stir in the pasta and cook to desired doneness, 8 to 9 minutes. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and the Parmesan cheese, and toss to coat.

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