Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta
This fresh Tomato Basil Pasta is such a wonderful dinner recipe. It comes together in just 20 minutes, and it's packed with bursting cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, lemon zest, and burrata cheese.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 362kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound bucatini pasta or spaghetti or linguini
- 4 to 5 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes about 24 ounces
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup fresh sliced basil plus more for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon or to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in generously salted water. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water for later. Drain and set aside.
- Cook cherry tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat ¼ cup of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add the cherry tomatoes. Cook for about 5-6 minutes until they start bursting, stirring occasionally and gently pressing. Tip: If needed, poke the tomatoes with a paring knife to help them burst faster.
- Toss with pasta: Toss the blistered tomato sauce with the cooked pasta, adding some of the reserved pasta water little by little as needed until incorporated (you will not need all the pasta water, add as needed).
- Adjust seasonings: Add the sliced basil and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you'd like to add some heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Finish: To serve, add a few extra drizzles of extra virgin olive oil. Finish with more basil and fresh lemon zest. Top with torn burrata cheese (it's so good!). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make ahead: I’d recommend serving it fresh. It does keep well in the fridge for 2 days, but the fresh blistered tomato sauce is best fresh.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The pasta may absorb some of the sauce and become slightly softer when reheated. To freshen it up, drizzle a little olive oil and gently reheat in the microwave.
- Heirloom cherry tomatoes: Regular cherry tomatoes or even diced Roma tomatoes.
- Bucatini pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine, rotini, penne, rigatoni.
- For a healthier take, use whole-grain pasta or even zucchini noodles.
Nutrition
Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 887IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg