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Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 109 reviews

This Cherry Tomato Pasta is a vibrant and fresh Italian-inspired dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a flavorful cherry tomato sauce with garlic, basil, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Topped with parmesan cheese and optionally creamy burrata, it offers a perfect combination of simple ingredients for a quick, delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 3 quarts water (12 cups or 3 liters)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons salt (21 grams), divided

Sauce

  • 2 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed or grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 twists black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
  • 15 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnishing
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated (or non-dairy alternative)

Optional Topping

  • 1 to 2 burrata balls

Instructions

  1. Boil Pasta: Put a large pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add 1 ½ tablespoons of salt and 12 ounces of spaghetti. Cook pasta according to package instructions minus 2 minutes to keep it slightly underdone.
  2. Prepare Cherry Tomatoes: While pasta cooks, halve 2 pounds of cherry tomatoes.
  3. Make Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 twists of black pepper, pressed garlic, and ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and the sauce forms.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti. Add the pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Pour in about ½ cup of reserved pasta water and add 15 fresh basil leaves. Stir and continue cooking together for a couple of minutes until the pasta reaches al dente texture. Add more pasta water if needed for desired sauce consistency.
  5. Finish with Cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese until it melts into the pasta and sauce.
  6. Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Optionally, top with 1 to 2 burrata balls for a creamy, luxurious finish.

Notes

  • Use non-dairy parmesan alternatives to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Reserve pasta water helps loosen and emulsify the sauce, ensuring it clings to the spaghetti.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
  • Add fresh basil just before serving to retain its bright flavor and color.

Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, Italian dinner recipe, quick pasta sauce

Find it online: https://recipeswithria.com/cherry-tomato-pasta-recipe/