Description
This Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that brings together the sweetness of cherry tomatoes, the pungency of garlic and red pepper flakes, and the fresh aroma of basil. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, the tomatoes are gently cooked until they burst, creating a rustic, lightly thickened sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, this recipe serves six and takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.
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
Finishing
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 oz. fresh grated Parmesan (about â…“ cup, plus more for serving)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside while preparing the sauce.
- Infuse Olive Oil with Garlic: Heat a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the olive oil and smashed garlic cloves. Cook gently until the garlic is fragrant and soft, taking care not to brown or burn it to avoid bitterness.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Add the cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Increase heat to medium and stir to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Cook and Burst Tomatoes: Continue cooking the tomatoes, stirring frequently. As they soften, use the back of a wooden spoon to gently crush some of the tomatoes to release their juices and start forming a rustic sauce. After about 10 minutes, the sauce will begin to thicken. You can continue to crush the tomatoes gently or use a potato masher to achieve your preferred texture.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Pour the tomato sauce over the cooked pasta. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir to coat the pasta thoroughly, allowing the cheese to melt into the warm sauce, enriching its flavor and texture.
- Add Basil and Serve: Stir fresh basil leaves into the pasta just before serving to preserve their vibrant flavor. Divide the pasta into individual bowls and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Do not let the garlic brown in the oil, as it can impart a bitter flavor to the sauce.
- Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to gently crush the tomatoes and release their juices for a better sauce consistency.
- Fresh grated Parmesan melts better and has a superior flavor compared to pre-grated Parmesan.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For gluten-free option, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta.
