Description
Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is a simple, fresh, and flavorful dish featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a garlicky burst cherry tomato sauce, finished with basil and parmesan for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper to the skillet. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to gently mash the tomatoes and release their juices. Continue cooking until the tomatoes burst and create a sauce, about 5 more minutes.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet along with basil and parmesan cheese. Toss well to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed for the desired sauce consistency.
- Serve immediately with more fresh basil and parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Use the freshest cherry tomatoes for the sweetest flavor.
- Add more red pepper for extra heat, or omit for a milder dish.
- Top with extra parmesan and basil for added flavor.
- Great as a vegetarian main or a simple side dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 8mg