Cherry Tomato Pasta with Fresh Basil and Parmesan Recipe
This vibrant Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe combines fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil blended into a light sauce, tossed with al dente angel hair pasta, and finished with Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired meal perfect for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 6 cups whole cherry tomatoes
- 2 small cloves of garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
- 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Pasta and Topping
- 12 ounces capellini (angel hair) or pasta shape of your choice
- 1.5 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Add the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil leaves, sea salt, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil to a blender. Blend until mostly smooth but with some small chunks remaining to maintain texture.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions, usually around 2-3 minutes for capellini.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot or a skillet over medium heat and pour the blended cherry tomato sauce over it. Toss gently and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is heated through and coats the pasta evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Add reserved cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce and make it saucy. Serve immediately, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The reserved pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and improves its consistency, so don’t skip this step.
- You can substitute capellini with any thin pasta like spaghetti or linguine if preferred.
- For a more intense flavor, let the sauce sit for 10 minutes before tossing with pasta.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best taste and meltability.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh tomato flavor and avoid soggy pasta.
