Description
This fresh and flavorful Tomato Basil Pasta is a quick and easy Italian-inspired dish combining spaghettini with sautéed garlic, juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant fresh basil, creamy mozzarella pearls, and grated parmesan cheese. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal, it comes together in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghettini
Sauce and Mix-ins
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 pints)
- 2 large handfuls fresh basil leaves, torn
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls, halved
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional), to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Have all ingredients ready to go as this recipe pulls together quickly, making the cooking process smooth and efficient.
- Cook garlic: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil, then stir in minced garlic. Cook gently for about 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and softened but not browned to develop a mild, aromatic base.
- Cook pasta: Once the water is boiling, generously salt it and cook the spaghettini according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Cook tomatoes: While the pasta cooks, add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet with garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Increase heat to medium or medium-high and sauté the tomatoes for 5-6 minutes, until they are softened but still retain some shape, creating a fresh tomato sauce.
- Toss pasta with tomatoes: Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the tomatoes. Gently toss over low heat to combine. If the sauce feels too dry, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time to loosen the mixture, ensuring the pasta is nicely coated.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the torn fresh basil leaves, halved mozzarella pearls, and grated parmesan cheese. Toss gently to incorporate all flavors and serve immediately. Garnish with additional parmesan, basil, and seasoning as desired.
Notes
- You can use other pasta shapes such as penne or fusilli if you prefer; cooking times may vary slightly.
- To bulk up the portion size, simply add more pasta and adjust other ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Fresh basil adds bright herbal notes—torn rather than chopped to avoid bruising the leaves.
- For added heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Reserve pasta water is important to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
