A simple vegetarian recipe for pasta with cherry tomatoes and garlic with chili flakes, lemon zest and fresh basil. This is easy weeknight dinner is ready in 20 minutes and will be a hit.
There are few things I love more than a big bowl of pasta. And this recipe, with cherry tomatoes slow cooked in olive oil so that they become sweet and jammy, is one of those perfect bowls of pasta you will want to eat over and over again.
With loads of garlic, zippy lemon zest and chili flakes, and finally finished off with fresh basil, this dish tastes like summer. Even in the middle of winter.
The flavour gets developed for slowly sautéing garlic, chili flakes and lemon zest. This creates a flavourful oil which becomes the base of the sauce, and what we cook the cherry tomatoes in. (If you want to try a different technique, you could also roast cherry tomatoes and toss them with pasta, for an equally delicious pasta dish).
I like to sauté half of the lemon zest in the olive oil at the beginning and save the other half to add at the end.
This creates a complex flavour in the finished dish that is both sweet, bright with a touch of bitter.
Cherry tomatoes are an ingredient that I always have in my fridge. They are great for adding to salads, or roasting with gnocchi in the oven–they also make a quick and delicious afternoon snack.
When I was in Italy a few years ago what struck me the most in the dishes that I ordered at restaurants was the simplicity of them; the individual ingredients really shone. You could tell everything that was in a dish and why.
As a cook, I found that incredibly inspiring, and that’s what lead me to create this easy pasta recipe.
How to create a velvety cherry tomato pasta sauce
The trick to creating a velvety smooth, restaurant-worthy pasta sauce has two steps. First of all, you should use more olive oil than you think. Always add an extra splash or two, you won’t regret it.
The second trick is to save some of your pasta water before draining your pasta. After all Martha Stewart says pasta water is the secret to superior sauce. This is because pasta water is loaded with leftover starch from your pasta.
Adding the starchy water to your sauce acts as a binder and thickener. I like to use tongs to scoop my pasta directly from its cooking water into the pan with the cherry tomatoes; this transfers some of the starchy water at the same time..
If you’re wondering what to do with a bunch of cherry tomatoes, look no further.
Pasta with cherry tomatoes and garlic
Ingredients
- ¾ lb 340g linguine, reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 2 pints of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup thinly sliced basil
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil, garlic, chili and half of the lemon zest. Cook for about 4 minutes or until garlic starts to turn golden brown and oil has a yellowy-orange hue. Reduce heat to low, add cherry tomatoes and salt, cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are blistered, have softened and are starting to become jammy.
- Add pasta to tomatoes, add reserved pasta water, ¼ cup at a time until sauce coats the pasta (you may not need all the pasta water). Toss with remaining lemon zest, basil and parmesan cheese and serve.
Let me know if you give this recipe for pasta with cherry tomatoes and garlic a try in the comments below.
AB
Fab recipe one of our favourites. Sometimes add lardons too for extra flavour
Chery
The reviews are so positive. I have all the ingredients for this. Can’t wait to make ths recip
Louisa Clements
Thanks Chery, I hope you enjoy!
CJ Maclin
3rd time making this. So simple, pure & refreshing. 10 out of 10, thanks!!
Louisa Clements
So glad that you are enjoying this recipe, CJ! Thank you for letting me know. Happy cooking!
Michelle
Excellent recipe and a great way to use up a lot of cherry/grape tomatoes 🍅 for us gardeners. Thank you so much!
Louisa Clements
So glad you enjoyed, Michelle! Such a great way to use those delicious and sweet garden tomatoes!
Janis
not tried yet but plan to. looks and sounds terrific. doesn’t have bad calories at all! thanks for sharing…
Louisa Clements
Thanks Janis, I hope you enjoy! Let me know how it goes.
Melissa Baker
Bookmarked this!
Louisa Clements
Thanks Melissa! I hope you enjoy, let me know how it goes!
Philip John Jones
Very simple, very tasty
Louisa Clements
So glad you enjoyed Philip! Thanks for letting me know.
Timothy Gann
Got the chili flakes mixed
Up with red pepper flakes and it made the recipe interesting to say the least. Still delicious just with a massive kick.
Louisa Clements
A little extra spicy for sure! I’m glad that you still were able to enjoy Timothy!
Nancy
This recipe was absolutely delicious 😋 I will definitely be making this often!
fabio
Do NOT refrigerate your tomatoes tho. That is your fatal flaw here. Should be left out at room temp.
Alexina
Make this one regularly, amazing amazing recipe!!
Louisa Clements
Love that you love this recipe! One of my favourites as well.
Shirley Clements
My favourite pasta recipe & easy to make!
Randicohen
Love this recipe. I’ve made it four times so far!!
Louisa Clements
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for letting me know. :)
Shirley Clements
Must try this Living Lou delicious pasta sauce again! It’s my all-time favourite!
Louisa Clements
It is an all-time favourite! So yummy!
Shirley Clements
This recipe is truly my favourite pasta sauce! It’s light & soooo flavourful! Must make it soon again!
Lou
So glad to hear that! :)
Antonia
This was amazing. So simple, but packed with flavour.
Oops, just realized I forget the hot pepper flakes and I like some heat in my food,but didn’t miss it.
Will definitely make again.
Lou
Thanks Antonia, I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for letting me know.
Nancy Savala
love this recipe have cooked to several times i add heavy cream, capers and italian sausage. thanks so much
Lou
Thanks Nancy, I’m so glad that you love this recipe! The cream, capers and Italian sausage would be delicious additions!
Susan
Made this dish today. and it is fabulous! The flavors and aroma are wonderful and my EXTREMELY picky teenage daughter gave me “permission” to make it again LOL!
Thank you :)
Lou
Hi Susan, I’m so glad that you and your daughter loved this recipe. Thank you for letting me know. :)
Amy Taylor
This looks great! Will be giving this a go, if you ever want to check out my healthy and cheap meals give my blog a look iprefercooking.wordpress.com
Lou
Thanks Amy! :)
Little Cooking Tips
Simple, easy, quick and delicious: what’s not to like in this recipe? Fantastic dish dear Lou! We’re so making this tomorrow for lunch!
Have a great weekend!
Mirella and Panos
Lou
Thank you Mirella and Panos! I hope that you enjoy this dish, it’s one of my favourites.
Shirley
And, I’m making it again!
Helen
Hi Lou, enjoy your blog! I make a similar pasta every summer when cherry tomatoes show up at my local farm store. I add sweet onion, red bell pepper, and a splash or two of balsamic vinegar. Depending on the acidity of the tomatoes, I might add a tsp of sugar. And I use some salt to taste as well. I love cooking it until the tomatoes pop, and squish them down to make them a little saucier. I always make more sauce than I can use on the pasta, because I love putting the leftovers on a piece of good whole grain sourdough toast for a quick snack!
Lou
Hi Helen, that sounds delicious! I tend to add a touch of sugar to my tomato sauces as well depending on the acidity of the tomatoes. Love the idea of putting the leftovers on a piece of sourdough — yum!
Shirley
I made this recipe & I love, love, love it! Thanks, Living Lou!
Lou
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know! :)
Shirley
This is exactly the pasta sauce that I have been looking for! I am going to make it tonight! know I will love it! I love my “comfort zone” as well but it is good to venture outside of it (often) & I’m happy to know that you ventured outside of yours & are having a great summer! Keep these awesome recipes coming!