Spaghetti with Tomatoes & Basil is a summer pasta dish that is sure to please everyone. Fresh cherry tomatoes are sautéed with garlic and herbs and tossed with lots of good olive oil served over spaghetti. Serve with a good piece of rustic bread!
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time5 minutesmins
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta
Ingredients
2pintscherry tomatoeshalved
Good olive oil
2tablespoonsminced garlic6 cloves
18large basil leavesjulienned, plus extra for serving
½teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1/2poundangel hair pastacapellini, or fresh spaghetti
1cupsfreshly grated Parmesan cheeseplus extra for serving
Instructions
Combine the cherry tomatoes, ½ cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.
Just before you’re ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with 2 tablespoons salt to a boil.
Heat the the tomato mixture in a large (12-inch) saute pan and cook on medium-low and cook for about 3 minutes minutes, tossing occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften but don't break up. You just want to heat through.
Time this with when you add your pasta to the boiling water which also only takes 2-3 minutes according to package instructions. Drain the pasta well (I prefer to pull with tongs rather than dump into a colander, reserving the pasta water.
Add the pasta to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve with extra cheese on each serving.
Notes
*If the pasta is dry, add a dash of pasta water to loosen up and make more of a sauce. You can also add a dash of more of olive oil if necessary. (Every pasta is a different. You need to use a little judgement.)