Perfect Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce In 5 Easy Steps

A vibrant and light cherry tomato pasta sauce is the perfect way to bring the taste of summer to your table, no matter the season. This recipe celebrates the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes, which burst and release their juices to create a fresh and elegant sauce. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, this cherry tomato pasta sauce is a versatile and healthy option for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend lunch.

What is Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce?

A cherry tomato pasta sauce is a light and fresh alternative to a traditional, slow-simmered pasta sauce. The sauce is made by gently cooking cherry or grape tomatoes until they soften and burst, creating a rustic and flavorful base. The beauty of this sauce is its simplicity, allowing the sweet and tangy flavor of the tomatoes to be the star. With a few simple additions like garlic and fresh basil, this sauce comes together quickly, making it a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create a delicious and sophisticated meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta of your choice (spaghetti or linguine are great options)
• 1 pint (about 2 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

How to Make Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
2. Start the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown.
3. Cook the Tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the tomatoes soften, use the back of a spoon or spatula to gently press down on them to help them burst and release their juices.
4. Combine and Finish: When the pasta is cooked, use tongs to transfer it directly from the pot to the skillet with the tomatoes. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir everything together. The starchy pasta water will help the sauce cling to the pasta and create a smooth, emulsified sauce.
5. Add Basil and Serve: Stir in the fresh basil leaves. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips for the Perfect Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

• Use Ripe Tomatoes: The flavor of this cherry tomato pasta sauce depends on the sweetness of the tomatoes. Use ripe, in-season cherry or grape tomatoes for the best results.
• Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Burnt garlic can make the sauce bitter. Cook it gently until fragrant.
• The Importance of Pasta Water: The starchy water from cooking the pasta is a key ingredient. It helps the sauce bind to the pasta and creates a silky texture.

Conclusion

This cherry tomato pasta sauce is a simple yet elegant recipe that celebrates fresh ingredients. It’s a perfect example of how a few high-quality components can come together to create a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal.

Perfect Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce In 5 Easy Steps

foodifa

An easy and fresh recipe for a cherry tomato pasta sauce with garlic and basil, ready in under 30 minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Sauce

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb pasta of your choice spaghetti or linguine are great options
• 1 pint about 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves torn or chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

 

• Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
• Start the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown.
• Cook the Tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the tomatoes soften, use the back of a spoon or spatula to gently press down on them to help them burst and release their juices.
• Combine and Finish: When the pasta is cooked, use tongs to transfer it directly from the pot to the skillet with the tomatoes. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir everything together. The starchy pasta water will help the sauce cling to the pasta and create a smooth, emulsified sauce.
• Add Basil and Serve: Stir in the fresh basil leaves. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

This sauce is very versatile and can be served with any pasta shape.

Keyword cherry tomato pasta sauce, cherry tomato sauce, pasta recipe, Pasta Sauce