Description
Unlock vibrant flavors with this super easy and flavorful cherry tomato spaghetti sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it bursts with fresh tomato goodness and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
- 2 pints (about 4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes, whole
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12–16 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat a wide, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil. Once shimmering, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add whole cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally and gently mashing some with the back of a spoon, for 8-10 minutes, until they soften, wrinkle, and burst.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in about half of the chopped fresh basil. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
- While sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package directions, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Remove sauce from heat. Stir in remaining fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta directly to the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a cohesive sauce that coats the spaghetti well. Toss to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins