Description
Discover how to make a vibrant and incredibly flavorful cherry tomato spaghetti sauce with minimal effort. This recipe highlights the natural sweetness of fresh cherry tomatoes for a delicious pasta experience.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion or shallot, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pints (about 4 cups) cherry tomatoes, most halved, a few left whole
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- Pinch of sugar (optional, to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 8 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Instructions
- 1. Prep Ingredients: Halve most cherry tomatoes, mince garlic, dice onion/shallot, chop basil.
- 2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion/shallot until translucent (3-5 mins). Add garlic and cook until fragrant (1 min).
- 3. Simmer Tomatoes: Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and optional sugar. Cover and simmer 10-15 mins until tomatoes burst. Uncover, gently crush some tomatoes, and simmer 5-10 mins more to thicken.
- 4. Finish Sauce: Remove from heat. Stir in basil and balsamic vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- 5. Combine with Pasta: Cook pasta al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta and add to sauce. Toss, adding pasta water gradually to emulsify until saucy. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins