Description
Craft a vibrant, incredibly flavorful cherry tomato spaghetti sauce in under 30 minutes with this easy recipe. Bursting with natural sweetness, this sauce clings beautifully to pasta for a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (approx. 4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- 1. Prep Tomatoes: Wash and halve all cherry tomatoes. Mince garlic and chop basil.
- 2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 3. Cook Tomatoes: Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to soften and burst. Use the back of a spoon to gently crush about half of the tomatoes.
- 4. Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- 5. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil. Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Add reserved pasta water to the sauce and stir to emulsify. Toss cooked pasta directly into the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins