15-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
A fresh and vibrant 15-minute cherry tomato basil pasta featuring angel hair spaghetti tossed in a garlic-infused olive oil sauce with juicy quartered cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 1 (1-pound) package of angel hair spaghetti
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 pints of cherry or grape tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 1 cup of chopped basil
- ½ teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the angel hair spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same pot used for pasta, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and quartered tomatoes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, gently mashing the tomatoes with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to release their juices and create a light sauce.
- Toss and Serve: Stir in the chopped basil, salt, cooked pasta, and reserved pasta water. Mix well until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and heated through. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce for a silkier texture.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor and aroma.
- Adjust salt to taste, especially if using salted pasta water.
- Optional: sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or crushed red pepper flakes for added flavor.
- Quickly mashing tomatoes helps release natural juices without overcooking.
Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, quick pasta recipe, basil pasta, easy pasta dinner, vegetarian pasta
