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Easy Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce- a bright-tasting meal that comes together in 20 minutes! This burst cherry tomato pasta sauce recipe is a winner for its simplicity, freshness, and deliciousness. It’s a dish that you’ll want to make again and again! Mangia!
Serve with crusty bread. You’ll also love my cherry tomato and mascarpone cheese recipe.
Why you’ll love this Burst Tomato Pasta
It is a simple recipe with fresh tomatoes that will make everyone run to the table. Here’s why you’ll love this pasta with scrumptious roasted grape tomatoes.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in about 20-25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Fresh Ingredients: With ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh garlic, and basil, this recipe bursts with vibrant flavors. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for best results.
- Healthy Option: This dish uses olive oil and fresh vegetables, offering a healthier alternative to store-bought pasta sauces and creating a lighter meal.
- Satisfying and Comforting: There’s something inherently comforting about a bowl of pasta coated in a flavorful tomato sauce.
- Great for Entertaining: This pasta dish is impressive enough to serve to guests at a dinner party yet simple enough to make for a casual dinner at home that the whole family will love. Plus, it’s easy to scale up to accommodate larger gatherings.
This simple pasta dish is one of my favorites for busy weeknights during tomato season. If you want to go the extra mile, make homemade fresh pasta.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This easy cherry tomato pasta sauce has only a few fresh ingredients.
- Pasta: use any shape you prefer, such as spaghetti, angel hair pasta, orecchiette, penne, or fusilli.
- Kosher salt: Used to season the pasta, water, and sauce.
- Olive oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and cherry tomatoes, adding richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the sauce when finely chopped and sautéed in olive oil.
- Cherry tomatoes: the key ingredient to this easy pasta recipe- small, sweet tomatoes that burst open when cooked, releasing their juices and creating a flavorful sauce. Make sure to get the sweetest you can find!
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the sauce, complementing the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes.
- Pinch of sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances their natural sweetness.
- Fresh basil: When coarsely chopped and stirred in at the end of cooking, it adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor and aroma to the sauce.
- Crushed red pepper: Adds a spicy kick to the sauce, providing depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- Parmigiano or Pecorino cheese (parmesan cheese): These are optional toppings for serving, adding a salty and savory element to the dish and enhancing its overall flavor.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cherry Tomato Pasta
This pasta is super simple to make! Follow these photo instructions and see the printable recipe at the bottom of this post!
Gather your fresh ingredients.
Heat pan with olive oil and add garlic.
Add the cherry tomatoes.
Cook the tomatoes until they burst. Smash lightly with a wooden spoon.
Cook pasta al dente.
Add hot pasts to the pan and add the fresh basil.
This simple pasta dish with fresh cherry tomatoes is one that we often make at home and in Italy! It’s a favorite pasta and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Substitutions
- Fresh Basil: If fresh basil is unavailable, you can use dried basil instead. However, dried basil is more concentrated in flavor, so use about 1/3 to 1/2 the amount of fresh basil called for in the recipe. Alternatively, you can use other fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or oregano.
- Parmigiano or Pecorino Cheese: If you don’t have Parmigiano or Pecorino cheese, you can use other hard cheeses such as Romano, Asiago, feta cheese, or Grana Padano. You can also use shaved parmesan cheese.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper based on your spice preference. If you don’t have crushed red pepper, you can use red pepper flakes or omit them entirely for a milder sauce.
Variations
- Vegetable Additions: Incorporate other vegetables to add texture and flavor to the sauce. Sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach would all be excellent additions. Add them to the skillet and cherry tomatoes and cook until tender.
- Protein: Add protein to make the dish more filling. You can stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or sliced Italian sausage. For a vegetarian option, consider adding white beans or chickpeas.
- Creamy Sauce: If you prefer a creamy sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking. This will create a rich and velvety texture. Alternatively, add a dollop of cream or mascarpone cheese for a luxurious finish.
- Olives or Capers: Add chopped olives or capers to the sauce for a briny kick—their salty and tangy flavor pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes. Stir them in along with the other ingredients.
Equipment
How to Store Pasta
Refrigeration: Let the sauce cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Gently heat in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Use Ripe Tomatoes: Choose ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor. Look for tomatoes that are firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe tomatoes will be sweeter and juicier, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Remember, adding more seasoning than fixing an overly seasoned dish is easier.
- Control Texture: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use a potato masher or immersion blender to blend the cherry tomatoes after they’ve burst partially. This will create a thicker, more uniform sauce. Alternatively, leave the tomatoes whole for a chunkier texture.
- Save Pasta Water: Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy water is used to thin out the sauce and help it cling better to the pasta. Add a splash at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh basil at the end of cooking brightens the dish’s aromatic flavor. Tear the basil leaves instead of chopping them to release more of their natural oils. You can also garnish with additional fresh herbs for a pop of color and freshness.
- Finish with Cheese: Top your pasta with freshly grated Parmigiano or Pecorino cheese before serving. The cheese adds a savory richness that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes. Use a microplane grater for a fine, fluffy texture.
FAQ
While grape and cherry tomatoes are similar in size and shape, they differ. Grape tomatoes are generally more elongated and oblong in shape, resembling a grape, hence the name. Cherry tomatoes are typically rounder and smaller. Taste-wise, they are quite similar, with both being sweet and flavorful. However, some may find cherry tomatoes slightly sweeter than grape tomatoes. In terms of culinary usage, they are interchangeable in most recipes.
You can use any pasta you prefer or have on hand. Popular options include spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or even whole wheat or gluten-free varieties for dietary preferences. Choose a pasta shape you enjoy that will hold the sauce well. For example, shapes with nooks and crannies, like penne or fusilli, can catch and hold the sauce effectively.
Yes, you can make this burst cherry tomato pasta sauce ahead of time. Once the sauce has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently on the stove. If the sauce has thickened during storage, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
More Italian Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
What to Serve with Cherry Tomato Pasta
Try these dishes with my cherry tomato pasta recipe:
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Print
Easy Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Easy Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe (Quick!)- a bright-tasting meal that comes together in 20 minutes! This burst cherry tomato pasta sauce recipe is a winner for its simplicity, freshness, and deliciousness. It’s a dish that you’ll want to make again and again! Mangia!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pasta of your choice
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of sugar (if needed)
- 1 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or Pecorino cheese (for serving)
EQUIPMENT
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Use a fork or the back of a wooden spoon to press down on the tomatoes to burst them gently. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sugar (if the sauce is a bit acidic). Stir well to combine.
- Cook the tomatoes until they soften and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed red pepper for some heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Combine the Sauce and Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the coarsely chopped fresh basil.
- Serve the pasta hot, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or Pecorino cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Enjoy your burst cherry tomato pasta!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Made this recipe all summer long!!! Love that it was quick, simple and all fresh ingredients!!
Yes! It is so easy and flavorful. I am so happy everyone loved it!
I absolutely love Elena’s recipe. They remind me of my Nona’s❤️
Thank you! I am so happy you love them!
One of our favorite summer pasta recipes!