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5-Ingredient Easy Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 7 reviews

This 5-Ingredient Easy Cherry Tomato Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and pasta, it delivers a fresh and creamy sauce with minimal effort. Ready in just 15 minutes, this simple recipe celebrates vibrant ingredients and classic Italian flavors.

Ingredients

Produce

  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped

Pantry

  • 1/2 lb dry pasta (spaghetti, bucatini, or penne rigate)
  • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Dairy

  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

  1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Heat Garlic and Olive Oil: In a cold skillet, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil and thinly sliced garlic. Heat over medium, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from browning, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  3. Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for about 8 minutes. Stir frequently and gently press the blistered tomatoes to release their juices, forming a sauce.
  4. Add Basil and Season: Once the tomatoes have softened into a saucy consistency, stir in the roughly chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with about 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water. Increase heat to high and vigorously toss the pasta with the sauce until creamy and well combined.
  6. Finish with Parmesan and Oil: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to enrich the sauce.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and garnish with extra fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant cherry tomato pasta!

Notes

  • Be careful not to brown the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
  • You can use any small pasta shape like penne or bucatini for best results.
  • Fresh Parmesan and basil elevate the dish, so try to use freshly grated cheese and fresh herbs.
  • This dish is best served immediately for the freshest flavor and texture.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/5-ingredient-easy-cherry-tomato-pasta-recipe/