Tomato Basil Pasta
A simple yet flavorful Tomato Basil Pasta made with juicy cherry tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil. Perfectly cooked spaghetti is tossed in a light tomato sauce and finished with parmesan for a comforting, quick meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and cook spaghetti until just under al dente.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add cherry tomatoes and salt. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring until tomatoes break down into a sauce.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and add it to the skillet with tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Stir in fresh basil and black pepper. Add parmesan if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra basil and parmesan.
Notes
- Use high-quality olive oil and ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the garlic or it may turn bitter.
- Reserve pasta water before draining — it’s key to a silky sauce.
Find it online: https://tastyze.com/tomato-basil-pasta/