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Cherry tomato basil pasta served in a white bowl with a fork
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Tomato Basil Pasta (15 minutes)

This tomato basil pasta has about 5-6 ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to make. And still packs a punch in terms of flavor. The cherry tomatoes burst and create a beautiful garlic basil sauce that's really fresh and tasty.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 329kcal
Author Richa

Ingredients

  • 200 grams Angel Hair Pasta or any other long string pasta
  • 1 tablespoon Salt
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic minced
  • 3 ½ cups Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves loosely packed
  • 1 tablespoon Butter
  • Fresh mozzarella / Bocconcini

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions till al dente. While the pasta is cooking, reserve ½ cup pasta water and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add garlic. Sauté the garlic on a low flame for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and two pinches of salt and cook them for a few minutes till soft. Break the tomatoes slightly with the back of a spoon.
  • Add reserved pasta water and simmer for 5 minutes till it thickens and becomes saucy.
  • Add pasta and butter and toss well. Add the basil, toss again till the basil wilts. Break the cheese and add it on top. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  1. Always add the pasta to boiling water. Never add pasta to warm or room temperature water. Time it and cook it till al dente. 
  2. Reserve some of the pasta water as the starch present in this will help thicken the sauce.
  3. Cook tomatoes on medium heat instead of low heat. This will give it an extra charred smoky flavour. 
  4. Time it so that the pasta gets cooked just about the same time the sautéed tomatoes are ready. This way the pasta won't harden and the sauce won't settle.
  5. Feel free to swap the tomatoes for something else like bacon (see bacon aglio olio) or shrimp (see shrimp aglio olio) or mushroom (see mushroom aglio olio) 

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1762mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 954IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg