Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

Ingredients

• 350g (12 oz) cherry tomatoes 350g (12 oz) cherry tomatoes
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup (10g) fresh basil leaves, torn 1/4 cup (10g) fresh basil leaves, torn
• 300g (10.5 oz) pasta of your choice (e.g., spaghetti, penne) 300g (10.5 oz) pasta of your choice (e.g., spaghetti, penne)
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional) Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 60g, 4g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. 2.
   Meanwhile, cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. 4.
   Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften and release their juices.
5. 5.
   While the tomatoes are cooking, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
6. 6.
   Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the cooking water.
7. 7.
   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes and toss to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce seems too dry, add a splash of the reserved cooking water.
8. 8.
   Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9. 9.
   Remove from heat and stir in the torn basil leaves.
10. 10.
    Serve the pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cherry tomatoes — Choose ripe and flavorful cherry tomatoes for the best taste. If they are not in season, you can use canned cherry tomatoes as a substitute.
• Basil — Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor. Tear them just before adding them to the dish to preserve their aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• To make the dish more substantial, you can add cooked shrimp or grilled chicken to the pasta.
• If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end.
• Experiment with different types of pasta shapes to add variety to the dish.
• Leftovers can be enjoyed cold as a pasta salad the next day.

Serving advice

Serve the Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil as a main course, accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty bread. It also pairs well with a glass of light-bodied red wine, such as Chianti.

Presentation advice

Garnish the pasta with a few whole basil leaves and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enhance its visual appeal.