Description
This orecchiette pasta recipe features blistered cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, creating a vibrant and healthy weeknight meal. It’s an easy, family-friendly dish perfect for busy evenings, transforming simple ingredients into a beloved favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta (450g)
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (approx. 680g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup olive oil (60ml)
- 0.5 cup fresh basil, packed leaves, chopped
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (approx. 50g), plus more for serving
Instructions
- Cook Orecchiette: Boil salted water. Add orecchiette; cook 10-12 mins until al dente (firm center). Drain, reserving 0.5 cup pasta water.
- Blister Tomatoes: Heat 0.25 cup olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add cherry tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook 8-10 mins, stirring, until tomatoes burst and are fragrant (if garlic browns too quickly, lower the heat slightly to prevent bitterness).
- Combine and Finish: Add drained orecchiette and 0.5 cup pasta water to the skillet. Toss until coated. Stir in basil and Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning.
Notes
Cook pasta only to al dente; it will continue cooking slightly in the sauce. Ensure enough salt in pasta water and adjust seasoning in the skillet. A pinch of red pepper flakes can boost flavor. For next time, set a timer for your orecchiette pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx. 250 g)
- Calories: 600 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 85 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
Keywords: orecchiette, pasta, cherry tomato, basil, weeknight, easy, vegetarian, stovetop, healthy, family-friendly