Description
This simple yet incredibly flavorful cherry tomato spaghetti sauce comes together in under 30 minutes, bursting with fresh, sweet tomato goodness. It’s a weeknight hero your whole family will adore.
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 2 pints (about 4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped or torn
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 – 1.5 cups reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil for your spaghetti.
- In a large skillet or wide pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add the cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-12 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and burst. Use the back of a spoon to gently mash any un-burst tomatoes.
- While tomatoes are cooking, add spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 to 1.5 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Stir the fresh basil into the tomato sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the drained, al dente spaghetti directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and toss vigorously until the sauce emulsifies and clings to the pasta. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed for desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, optionally with a drizzle of fresh olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins