Description
This simple yet flavorful Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes recipe combines al dente spaghetti with a vibrant sauce made from fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this dish offers a perfect balance of freshness and richness, making it a quick and delightful meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente following the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Mash the Tomatoes: Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher, carefully mash the tomatoes to release their juices. Continue cooking and stirring until the tomatoes burst and form a sauce, about 5 more minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss in the chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper quantity to your preferred heat level.
- This recipe works well with other pasta shapes if spaghetti is not available.
- For a vegan option, omit Parmesan cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
