Cherry Tomato Pasta
Bursting with vibrant flavors and effortless charm, this Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe is the ultimate quick and easy dinner idea! Featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant garlic, fresh basil, and a touch of Parmesan cheese, this dish transforms simple pantry staples into a gourmet experience in just 30 minutes. The tomatoes are sautéed to create a luscious, lightly tangy sauce that clings perfectly to al dente spaghetti, while optional chili flakes add a hint of spice for those who crave a kick. Ideal for weeknight meals or casual entertaining, this vegetarian pasta recipe is as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for fans of Mediterranean flavors, it’s a surefire way to elevate your pasta repertoire with minimal effort.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 g Spaghetti
- 400 g Cherry tomatoes
- 4 pcs Garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 10 pcs Fresh basil leaves
- 50 g Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 tsp Red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut half of them in halves while leaving the rest whole for variety in texture.
Peel and finely slice the garlic cloves.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic slices, cooking until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to turn golden, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and some of them burst, releasing their juices.
Season the tomatoes with salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes (if using). Stir well to combine.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the tomato sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Remove the skillet from heat and tear the basil leaves into small pieces. Stir them into the pasta.
Grate the Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss again to combine.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1261 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 74.3 g | 95% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.7 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 2710 mg | 118% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.5 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.7 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.3 g | ||
| Protein | 39.5 g | 79% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 617 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 1310 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
