Description
This vibrant cherry tomato spaghetti sauce is bursting with fresh flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight meal solution.
Ingredients
- 2 pints (about 4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12–16 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Instructions
- 1. Prep Ingredients: Halve cherry tomatoes, mince garlic, chop basil.
- 2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Do not brown.
- 3. Cook Tomatoes: Add halved cherry tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally and gently pressing on tomatoes, for 8-12 minutes until most have burst and released their juices.
- 4. Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 5-7 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
- 5. Finish Sauce: Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, red pepper flakes) as needed.
- 6. Cook Pasta & Combine: Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining. Add drained pasta directly to the sauce in the skillet. Toss vigorously, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce coats the pasta beautifully.
- 7. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins