Description
Easy Cherry Tomato Basil Spaghetti is a quick and delicious meal that combines fresh ingredients and simple cooking techniques, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: 250 grams (about 8.8 oz)
- Olive oil: 3 tablespoons
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Cherry tomatoes: 300 grams (about 10.5 oz), halved
- Fresh basil leaves: 1 cup, loosely packed
- Parmesan cheese: 50 grams (about 1.75 oz), shaved or grated
- Salt: to taste
- Black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by measuring spaghetti, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, mincing garlic, halving cherry tomatoes, and rinsing basil leaves.
- Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then add halved cherry tomatoes, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes.
- Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with tomatoes, tossing gently and adding reserved pasta water if needed to combine.
- Serve topped with Parmesan cheese and additional basil, drizzled with olive oil.
Notes
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or fusilli.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor; add it at the end of cooking.
- Consider adding protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a heartier meal.
- For vegetarian or vegan options, add vegetables or use nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, basil, quick meal, Italian recipe