Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
Add the crushed garlic and red pepper flakes and swirl the pan around for a few seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add in half of the fresh basil and give the pan another swirl.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and salt, and lower the heat to medium- low.
Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly and the tomatoes are soft.
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Season the water with a generous amount of salt and add the pappardelle.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions or until al dente.
Drain the pappardelle, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Add the cooked pasta and pasta water to the tomato sauce and toss until evenly coated.
Add in the remaining half of the basil, and the lemon zest, and toss quickly to combine.
Dish into warm serving bowls and top with extra basil and olive oil if desired.