Easy healthy Italian pasta recipes are a great choice as part of a balanced healthy diet.

This recipe for pasta sauce with diced tomatoes is so delicious no one will even suspect how easy it is.

Prep time: 50 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
2 large ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 oven-dried or sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
salt and pepper
1 pound penne rigate pasta
1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Combine fresh and oven-dried tomatoes, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Marinate at room temperature for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain well, and while still hot, toss with tomato mixture.

Coarsely chop basil and combine with pasta. Serve immediately, or at room temperature.

Serves 4

• Jazz this recipe up a bit with a few chopped vegetables of your choice. Green, red or yellow peppers work well. Or try chopped zucchini or mushrooms.