Description
Cherry Tomato Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender orecchiette pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made from garlic, tomato paste, fresh cherry tomatoes, and a hint of red pepper flakes. Finished with balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal that bursts with fresh tomato flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 12 oz. orecchiette
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (about 1 1/2 lb. total)
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp. sugar
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- Chopped fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the orecchiette until al dente, usually about 2 to 3 minutes less than the package instructions specify. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and light golden but not browned, about 3 minutes.
- Add Tomato Paste and Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until it turns a brick-red color, about 1 minute. Then add the halved cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are tender and begin to burst, about 5 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce: Increase the heat to high, then add the balsamic vinegar and sugar. Bring the sauce to a boil and let cook for 1 minute to meld the flavors.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta, finely grated Parmesan, and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir continuously while cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta well, about 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among serving bowls, and top each portion with additional Parmesan cheese, extra red pepper flakes for garnish, and chopped fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Cherry Tomato Pasta comes together quickly, making it an ideal weeknight meal at just 20 minutes total time.
- Use fresh cherry tomatoes for the best, vibrant flavor and natural sweetness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen and thicken the sauce as needed for perfect texture.
- Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish but can be omitted or substituted with other herbs like parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 606
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 833 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 71 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
