Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe
This Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe is a fresh and vibrant dish featuring halved cherry tomatoes sautéed with garlic, onions, and crushed red pepper flakes, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti and finished with butter and fresh basil for a rich, aromatic finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, it makes a perfect easy weeknight dinner that bursts with flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely diced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 22 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 handful basil leaves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Sauté the onions: In a large pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil, then add the diced onion along with a few generous pinches of kosher salt. Cover and cook the onions for 7 minutes on low heat, allowing them to soften gently without browning.
- Add garlic and tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, then add the halved cherry tomatoes. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices. Uncover and continue cooking for another 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture thickens. Turn off the heat.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti about 1 minute shy of al dente to allow finishing in the sauce. Reserve 3/4 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the pan with the tomato sauce to the stove and add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Bring to a rapid simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. Add the drained pasta and the butter to the sauce and toss vigorously for about a minute until well combined and glossy.
- Finish with basil and serve: Stir in the roughly chopped basil leaves, allowing their aroma to infuse the pasta. Serve immediately for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a smoother sauce, you can lightly crush the cherry tomatoes during cooking.
- Use good quality olive oil for better flavor.
- Reserve pasta water carefully—it helps the sauce coat the noodles perfectly.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- You can substitute spaghetti with any favorite pasta shape.
- Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired, though it’s optional.
Find it online: http://bitezly.com/cherry-tomato-pasta-recipe/
