Description
A simple and flavorful pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with a fresh cherry tomato sauce, garlic, crushed red pepper, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that bursts with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Sauce
- 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
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Cook Tomatoes: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Mash Tomatoes: Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher, carefully crush the tomatoes to release their juices. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes burst further and form a saucy consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with the chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to combine evenly.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Gradually add the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve your desired texture.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. The cherry tomato sauce freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: The sauce can be prepared 2-3 days in advance and reheated when ready to combine with freshly cooked pasta.
- Substitutions: Use any pasta you prefer such as penne or linguine. Alternate tomatoes like grape, Roma, or beefsteak; if using larger tomatoes, quarter them for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
