Cherry Tomato Pasta with Butter
A simple and delicious pasta recipe using cherry tomatoes, butter, garlic, and olive oil
This Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe is perfect for when you have an abundance of cherry tomatoes. The dish is made by simmering little tomatoes, butter, garlic, and olive oil to create a deliciously effortless sauce that coats spaghetti to glorious summery effect.
My Mom, Peddler of Cherry Tomatoes
The author's mom has a large garden that produces a consistent stream of vegetables, including cherry tomatoes. By late summer, the garden is overflowing with cherry tomatoes, and the author's mom is always looking for ways to use them up. The author has been perfecting this Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe for the last two years and has found it to be a great way to make a bag of cherry tomatoes disappear.
A Simple Pasta to Fall Back On
This pasta recipe consists of just a few ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tomato, pasta, and butter. The key to this recipe is the way the ingredients are layered, which makes the pasta special. The author notes that simplicity is a hallmark of Italian cooking, and this recipe is a great example of that. The author also suggests adding some basil stems to the simmering sauce for extra flavor.
The author's family loves this recipe, and it has become a staple in their household. The author's 2-year-old nephew even thanked them for making him a tasty pasta. The recipe can be topped with parmesan cheese, but the author notes that it's not necessary, as the fresh flavor of the tomatoes and the subtle richness of the butter are enough.
Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe Instructions
To make this recipe, start by setting a medium pot of salted water to boil for your pasta. In a skillet over medium heat, add some olive oil and smashed garlic cloves. Cook until the garlic is golden all around. Meanwhile, halve your cherry tomatoes or chop larger tomatoes into chunks. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, just 1 minute shy of al dente.
Add the tomatoes and basil sprigs (if using) to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. The tomatoes will start to break up, release their juices, and form a sauce. Remove the basil sprigs, and use tongs to transfer the pasta from the boiling water to the skillet (reserve the pasta cooking water). Over medium heat, toss the spaghetti with the sauce until it's well-coated, adding pasta water as needed until you get a nice silky texture. Add some butter and a handful of whole basil leaves (if using) and salt to taste. Toss again to incorporate the butter into the pasta. Serve immediately!
Our Favorite Summer Tomato Recipes
Here are some other favorite recipes for using summer tomatoes:
- Roasted Tomatoes
- The Perfect Tomato Sandwich
- Ultimate Roasted Tomato Meat Sauce
- Slow-Roasted Tomato Pasta
- Roasted Tomato Pasta Puttanesca
- Ratatouille Pasta
- Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry
- Beef and Tomato Stir-Fry
The recipe for Cherry Tomato Pasta is as follows:
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- Salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves (crushed)
- 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes (or a mix of any sweet tomatoes you have on hand)
- 8 ounces dried spaghetti
- 3-4 sprigs basil or handful of basil leaves (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Set a medium pot of salted water to boil for your pasta. In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and smashed garlic cloves. Cook until the garlic is golden all around. Meanwhile, halve your cherry tomatoes or chop larger tomatoes into chunks.
- Add spaghetti to boiling water, and cook according to package instructions, just 1 minute shy of al dente.
- Add the tomatoes and basil sprigs (if using) to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. The tomatoes will start to break up, release their juices, and form a sauce.
- Remove the basil sprigs, and use tongs to transfer the pasta from the boiling water to the skillet (reserve the pasta cooking water). Over medium heat, toss the spaghetti with the sauce until it’s well-coated, adding pasta water as needed until you get a nice silky texture. Add the butter and a handful of whole basil leaves (if using) and salt to taste. Toss again to incorporate the butter into the pasta. Serve immediately!
