Description
A simple and flavorful spaghetti dish tossed with burst cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for serving)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper to the skillet and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to gently mash the tomatoes, releasing their juices. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the tomatoes burst and create a sauce.
4. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, along with the fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
5. Serve immediately with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan on top, if desired.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if needed.
Use ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
Fresh basil and Parmesan add brightness and richness to the final dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 8mg