A beautifully simple Italian classic, this dish highlights the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes, bursting with flavor and brought to life with fresh garlic, olive oil, and basil. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light summer meal.
🍴 Ingredients (Serves 2-3)
- 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1½ pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
🔥 Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain.
Sauté the Garlic:
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook until just golden, about 1 minute—don’t let it burn!
Add the Tomatoes:
Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and create a light sauce.
Combine and Toss:
Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce.
Finish and Serve:
Remove from heat and stir in torn basil leaves. Plate and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve immediately and enjoy!
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Pasta With Cherry Tomato Sauce
- 🔪 Chef’s Knife — Perfect for slicing cherry tomatoes and basil with ease and precision.
- 🍳 Nonstick Skillet — Essential for sautéing garlic and tomatoes without sticking or scorching.
- 🧂 Sea Salt Grinder — Elevate your dish with freshly ground sea salt.
- 🧀 Parmesan Grater — For that perfect snowy topping of fresh Parm on every bowl.
💡 Helpful Tip: Let the cherry tomatoes blister and soften naturally—resist the urge to smash them! This allows the sweet, juicy centers to meld perfectly with the garlic oil for a light but flavorful sauce.
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