Description
This easy 30-minute Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta combines sweet, charred cherry tomatoes with garlic, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese to create a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe balances simplicity with bold flavors and can be customized with proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Produce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, red or a mix of colors
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
Pantry
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 pound pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Dairy
- Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water for later use, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Char the Tomatoes and Add Garlic: Heat a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are charred and begin to burst, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the minced garlic to the tomatoes, and sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic turns golden but not burnt.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and thickens to your desired consistency, about 10-15 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce: Drizzle the olive oil into the sauce and add a handful of fresh basil leaves. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan, tossing well to coat the pasta with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick or dry, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and more fresh basil.
Notes
- Using reserved pasta water helps to emulsify and thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings to the pasta more effectively.
- Besides basil, add parsley or thyme for additional herbaceous notes.
- Add grilled chicken slices or sautéed shrimp to the pasta for a protein boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
