Description
Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring pasta tossed in a vibrant sauce made from bursting fresh cherry tomatoes cooked with garlic, red pepper flakes, and finished with fragrant basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz. uncooked pasta
Sauce
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (smashed)
- 1.5 lbs cherry tomatoes
- ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1½ tsp. kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Finishing Touches
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1 oz. fresh grated Parmesan (about ⅓ cup, plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside while preparing the sauce.
- Infuse the olive oil with garlic: In a medium saucepan over low heat, add the olive oil and smashed garlic cloves. Cook gently until the garlic is fragrant and soft, but be careful not to let it brown, to avoid bitterness.
- Add and cook the tomatoes: Once the garlic is fragrant, add the cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Increase the heat to medium and stir to combine the ingredients well.
- Burst and thicken the sauce: Stir the mixture frequently as the tomatoes begin to soften and burst. Use the back of a wooden spoon to crush some of the tomatoes, releasing their juices, and continue cooking for about 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens. You can also use a potato masher to break down the tomatoes further for a saucier texture.
- Combine pasta with sauce and finish: Pour the tomato sauce over the cooked pasta, add the grated Parmesan cheese, and stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. The heat from the sauce will melt the cheese, adding creaminess. Stir in the fresh basil leaves just before serving. Divide the pasta into individual bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Notes
- For best flavor, use ripe cherry tomatoes; the natural sweetness enhances the sauce.
- You can substitute basil with fresh oregano or parsley if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice tolerance.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to loosen sauce if it becomes too thick.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
