[Photographs and video: J. Kenji López-Alt]

Cherry tomatoes are almost always sweeter, riper, and higher in pectin than larger tomatoes at the supermarket. All of these factors mean that cherry tomatoes are fantastic for making a rich, thick, flavorful pasta sauce. Even better: It takes only four ingredients and about 10 minutes, start to finish—less time than it takes to cook the pasta you’re gonna serve it with.

Why It Works

  • Cherry tomatoes are extra sweet and have plenty of pectin, making them great for a fast and easy sauce.
  • The sauce cooks down in the same amount of time it takes to boil pasta, for a quick and easy fresh meal.
  • Yield:Serves 4 to 6
  • Active time:12 minutes
  • Total time:12 minutes
  • Rated: 5
  • Ingredients

    • 1 pound (450g) dry pasta
    • Kosher salt
    • 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
    • 6 tablespoons (90ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
    • 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes (about 2 pints; 750g)
    • 1 ounce fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (about 1 cup; 30g)
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • Parmesan cheese, for serving

    Directions

    1. 1.

      Place pasta in a large skillet or sauté pan and cover with water and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions recommend.

    2. 2.

      Meanwhile, heat garlic and 4 tablespoons (60ml) olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, until tomatoes begin to burst. You can help them along by pressing on them with the back of a wooden spoon as they soften.

    3. 3.

      Continue to cook until sauce is rich and creamy, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.

    4. 4.

      When pasta is cooked, drain, reserving 1 cup (240ml) pasta water. Add pasta to sauce and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring and tossing constantly and adding reserved pasta water as necessary to adjust consistency to a nice, creamy flow. Remove from heat, stir in remaining 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, and grate in a generous shower of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, passing extra Parmesan at the table.

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