Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe
A vibrant and creamy cherry tomato pasta recipe featuring bursting cherry tomatoes simmered with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of balsamic vinegar, finished with parmesan and cream for a rich, comforting dish perfect for any weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 24 oz cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 12 oz short pasta (uncooked, such as orecchiette, shells, or rotini)
Seasonings & Sauces
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2–3 Tbsp heavy cream
- 2–3 Tbsp tomato paste
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
Finishing Touches
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ – 1 cup reserved starchy pasta water
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Reserve ½ to 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, and once shimmering, add the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Stir occasionally and gently press the tomatoes to burst them as they soften. Continue cooking until the tomatoes break down into a chunky sauce.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and balsamic vinegar. Stir well to combine and let simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until the cheese melts completely. Then mix in the tomato paste, and if desired, add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Gradually add reserved pasta water, about ¼ cup at a time, to thin the sauce to your preferred consistency. Simmer gently as the sauce will thicken while heated.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat each piece in the sauce. Remove the pan from heat.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and freshly grated parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water is key as it contains starch that helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Pressing the tomatoes to burst them helps develop a fresh, naturally sweet sauce without needing canned tomatoes.
- The pinch of sugar is optional and can balance the acidity from the tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
- Choose short pasta shapes like orecchiette or rotini so the sauce clings well.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, creamy tomato pasta, quick pasta recipe, Italian pasta, vegetarian pasta
Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/cherry-tomato-pasta-recipe/
