Description
This easy-to-bake cherry tomato spaghetti sauce recipe yields a vibrant, naturally sweet pasta dish. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb spaghetti or preferred pasta
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- 1. Prep Ingredients: Halve cherry tomatoes, mince garlic, and chop basil.
- 2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- 3. Simmer Tomatoes: Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring and gently crushing tomatoes until they burst and form a sauce.
- 4. Cook Pasta: While sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- 5. Finish Sauce & Toss: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce. Serve immediately with optional Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins