Description
A simple and delightful pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a fresh cherry tomato sauce, infused with garlic, crushed red pepper, and fresh basil, finished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary 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 more for serving
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente following the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Cook Tomatoes: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook them until softened, stirring occasionally, which takes about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper. Cook for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Mash Tomatoes: Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to gently crush the tomatoes to release their juices, allowing them to burst. Continue cooking for about 5 more minutes so the tomatoes create a rich sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Add chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to combine well.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Gradually add the reserved pasta water as needed to reach the desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce texture; its starchiness helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper slightly.
- Use fresh Parmesan for the best flavor.
- This recipe is easily doubled for a larger group.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
