Description
This vibrant cherry tomato spaghetti sauce is bursting with fresh flavor and comes together in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (approx. 680g) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3–4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn or chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Optional: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet, stir to coat, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most tomatoes have burst.
- Uncover, use the back of a spoon to gently mash any remaining whole tomatoes, and continue to simmer for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in fresh basil, season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
- While sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce, toss vigorously, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to create a luscious, clinging sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins