Description
Unlock the secret to a vibrant, fresh spaghetti sauce in under 30 minutes! This recipe celebrates the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes with aromatic garlic and basil.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3–4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped or torn
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté sliced garlic (and red pepper flakes, if using) for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and salt to the skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and cook for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and burst.
- Gently mash some of the burst tomatoes with the back of a spoon to create a saucier consistency.
- Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil and balsamic vinegar (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and fresh black pepper as needed.
- While sauce cooks, boil spaghetti according to package directions, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- Add cooked pasta directly to the sauce. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce beautifully coats the pasta. Serve immediately, drizzled with extra olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins