Description
This vibrant spaghetti sauce uses sweet cherry tomatoes for an incredibly fresh and flavorful dinner. It cooks up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (about 4 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Cooked spaghetti or preferred pasta, for serving
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Prepare Ingredients: Halve all cherry tomatoes. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Chop the fresh basil.
- 2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- 3. Add Tomatoes & Cook: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Increase the heat slightly to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and burst, releasing their juices (about 10-15 minutes). Gently mash some of the tomatoes with the back of your spoon to create a saucier consistency.
- 4. Season & Finish: Season the sauce generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
- 5. Serve: Toss the sauce with freshly cooked spaghetti or your choice of pasta. Garnish with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, then serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins