Get ready to elevate your pasta game with this mouthwatering Zesty Tomato Pasta that promises to tantalize your taste buds and impress even the most discerning food lovers! In just 30 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality Italian dish that's bursting with fresh flavors, vibrant colors, and an irresistible aroma that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy home cook or a culinary enthusiast, this recipe is your ticket to a quick, delicious meal that combines simplicity with gourmet flair.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. The water should taste like seawater to properly season the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, gently pressing some tomatoes to release their juices and create a light sauce.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This starchy water will help bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the tomatoes. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The pasta should be well-coated and flavorful.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil, allowing its aroma to infuse the dish.
- Plate the pasta and generously sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot, garnishing with additional basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Salt Your Pasta Water Generously: The key to flavorful pasta is well-seasoned water. It should taste like the sea to ensure your pasta is delicious from the inside out.
- Don't Overcook the Tomatoes: Gently sauté cherry tomatoes to release their natural sweetness without turning them into a mushy sauce. You want them to retain some texture.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy cooking water is liquid gold! It helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of pasta.
- Fresh Basil is Non-Negotiable: Add basil at the very end to preserve its bright, aromatic flavor and vibrant green color.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: With such a simple recipe, each ingredient matters. Choose ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, good olive oil, and freshly grated Parmesan for the best results.
- Serve Immediately: This pasta is best enjoyed hot, straight from the pan, when the flavors are at their peak and the cheese is perfectly melted.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 340kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
