Description
A vibrant and easy-to-make Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta recipe featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with sautéed garlic and bursting cherry tomatoes, topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick, flavorful, and vegetarian weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice
- ½ teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
For Serving:
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- Additional olive oil for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or your choice of pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned, to release its aroma.
- Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet along with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst, creating a fresh, flavorful sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta back into the skillet with the tomatoes. Pour in the reserved pasta water to help bind the sauce and toss everything together. Cook for another 1–2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld well.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil if desired. Serve immediately for a fresh, tasty meal.
Notes
- For added protein, toss in grilled chicken or white beans.
- Swap Parmesan for vegan cheese to make it dairy-free.
- Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten intolerance.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Fresh basil is best added at the end to preserve its flavor and aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
