Quick and Easy Pasta With Cherry Tomato Sauce

Name: Quick and Easy Pasta With Cherry Tomato Sauce
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb Dried Pasta; Some Kosher Salt; 4 cloves of Garlic, medium, thinly sliced; 6 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided; 2 lbs Cherry Tomatoes, about 2 pints (750g); 1oz Basil Leaves, fresh, roughly chopped; about 1 cup (30g); Some Pepper (Black), freshly ground; Some Parmesan Cheese, for serving

This quick and easy pasta with cherry tomato sauce transforms pantry staples into a bright, comforting weeknight dinner. Juicy tomatoes are cooked down with garlic and olive oil into a silky, fresh sauce, then tossed with al dente pasta and fragrant basil for a simple, satisfying meal. Finish with a generous shower of Parmesan for a touch of savory richness.

This quick and easy pasta with cherry tomato sauce transforms pantry staples into a bright, comforting weeknight dinner. Juicy tom... Show more

By J. Kenji López-Alt · Original recipe

Health Grade

B- · Healthy

Time

25 min

Price

1,22 €

Calories

641 kcal

vegetarian

low sodium

low sugar

Method

Prep aromatics

Thinly slice the Garlic cloves and roughly chop the Basil Leaves. Keep them separate so the garlic can go into the pan first and the basil can stay fresh for the finish.

Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season it generously with Kosher Salt. Add the Dried Pasta and cook until just al dente, about 9 minutes, stirring once or twice so it doesn't stick. Before you drain it, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.

Make the sauce

While the pasta cooks, warm 3 tbsp of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant and just starting to turn pale gold. Stir in the Cherry Tomatoes, season with kosher salt and freshly ground Pepper (Black), and cook, stirring occasionally and gently pressing on some of the tomatoes with the back of a spoon, until they burst and become saucy, about 8 to 10 minutes. If the skillet looks dry before the tomatoes break down, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

Toss and serve

Drain the pasta and add it straight to the skillet. Take the skillet off the heat, then toss with the remaining olive oil and a few splashes of reserved pasta water until the sauce looks glossy and clings to every strand. Fold in the basil, then divide into bowls and finish with Parmesan Cheese and a final grind of pepper if you like.