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Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta

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Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta is a fresh and vibrant one-pot dish featuring sweet cherry tomatoes, aromatic basil, and al dente pasta tossed in a light garlic and olive oil sauce. It’s simple yet full of flavor, making it an ideal choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz dry pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or bucatini)
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes (red and yellow), halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5–7 minutes, gently pressing them with a spoon to release their juices.
  4. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together and cook for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  5. Stir in fresh basil and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for more vegetables.
  • Use grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for protein.
  • Use gluten-free pasta for a GF version.
  • Stir in pesto for extra basil flavor.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of water or oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, basil pasta, one pot pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, Italian

Find it online: https://yumcove.com/cherry-tomato-basil-pasta/