Description
Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made from blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Finished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, this recipe is quick to prepare, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal weeknight meal that doesn’t compromise on taste.
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 basil leaves
- 1 oz. fresh grated Parmesan (about â…“ cup, plus more for serving)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and drizzle it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside while you prepare the tomato sauce.
- Prepare the garlic-infused oil: Heat a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and the smashed garlic cloves. Cook the garlic gently, stirring occasionally, until it becomes fragrant and soft without browning, to infuse the oil with its flavor.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: When the garlic is fragrant and tender, add the cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Cook and burst the tomatoes: Continue cooking the tomatoes on medium heat, stirring frequently. The tomatoes will begin to burst. Use the back of a wooden spoon or a potato masher to crush some of the tomatoes, helping the sauce thicken. After about 10 minutes, the sauce should reach a thicker, saucy consistency.
- Toss pasta with the sauce: Pour the tomato sauce over the cooked pasta. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir everything together until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly. Stir in the fresh basil leaves to infuse their aroma and flavor.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among individual bowls. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
- Use a sturdy wooden spoon or potato masher to gently crush the tomatoes for a rustic sauce texture.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil if fresh is not available, but add it later in the cooking process.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick before tossing with pasta.
- To make this dish vegan, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
