5 from 81 votes
15-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta
This pasta recipe combines angel hair spaghetti with sautéed garlic and quartered cherry tomatoes, finished with fresh basil and salt. The technique includes reserving pasta water to help bind the sauce, creating a light, flavorful dish with tender noodles and softened tomatoes. It's a practical meal for when fresh tomatoes and basil are available.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
to 6
Calories:
611 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 angel hair spaghetti
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 5 garlic minced, cloves
- 3 pints cherry tomato cut into quarters, or grape tomatoes
- 1 cup basil chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- In the same pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook for 2 or 3 minutes, gently mashing the tomatoes with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Stir in the basil, salt, pasta, and pasta water.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add bouillon paste or cubes to pasta water for added flavor according to package directions.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps the sauce cling to noodles; it can be stored in the fridge for a day or two.
- Cook pasta al dente, slightly less than package directions, especially if saving leftovers.
- You may mash all or part of the tomatoes to adjust sauce texture.
- Add garlic only after tomato skins begin splitting to avoid bitterness from burning garlic.
Nutrition Information
Calories
611kcal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
100g
(33%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Sodium
316mg
(13%)
Potassium
1127mg
(24%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
3273IU
(65%)
Vitamin C
51mg
(57%)
Calcium
77mg
(8%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 to 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 611
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 611kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 100g | 33% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Sodium | 316mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 1127mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 3273IU | 65% |
| Vitamin C | 51mg | 57% |
| Calcium | 77mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.