Description
This Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a fresh, lightly spiced cherry tomato sauce with garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and fragrant basil leaves. Finished with fresh Parmesan cheese, this easy 30-minute recipe offers a delightful and colorful Mediterranean-inspired meal that serves six.
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
- 1 oz. fresh grated Parmesan (about â…“ cup, plus more for serving)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside while making the sauce.
- Infuse Olive Oil with Garlic: Heat a medium saucepan over low heat and add the olive oil along with the smashed garlic cloves. Cook gently until the garlic is fragrant and softened, taking care not to brown it to avoid bitterness.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Once the garlic has softened, add the cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Burst and Thicken the Tomato Sauce: Continue cooking the tomatoes while stirring frequently. As the tomatoes begin to burst, use the back of a wooden spoon to gently crush them, releasing their juices. After about 10 minutes, the sauce will start to thicken. You can also use a potato masher to break up the tomatoes further for a chunkier texture.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce and Finish: Pour the thickened tomato sauce over the cooked pasta. Add the grated Parmesan and stir well to coat the pasta evenly, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce. Stir in the fresh basil leaves just before serving. Divide the pasta among individual bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh cherry tomatoes for the best burst and natural sweetness in the sauce.
- Do not brown the garlic as it will impart a bitter flavor; gentle infusing is key.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- The sauce can be made a little ahead and gently reheated before tossing with pasta.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the pasta with gluten-free noodles.
