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Dinner

Blistered Cherry Tomato Pasta

A quick and fresh pasta dish featuring sweet cherry tomatoes that blister into a light, juicy sauce in just minutes.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· August 28, 2026
Blistered Cherry Tomato Pasta
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
4

When summer gardens overflow with tomatoes, this simple pasta is my favorite way to clear out the counter. By cooking the cherry tomatoes hot and fast, they keep their bright flavor while softening into a natural sauce that clings perfectly to every noodle.

I love this recipe because it is so flexible. You can use any long pasta you have in the pantry, and it tastes just as wonderful with store bought tomatoes as it does with fresh ones from the garden or a farmers market.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti, spaghettini, or angel hair pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds cherry tomatoes
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions until al dente.

  2. 2

    Before draining the pasta, carefully scoop out and reserve about 1 cup of the starchy cooking water.

  3. 3

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

  4. 4

    Add the cherry tomatoes to the pan and let them cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until the skins begin to blister and brown.

  5. 5

    Turn the heat down to medium, then add the minced garlic, sliced scallions, and red pepper flakes.

  6. 6

    Stir the mixture occasionally for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes have broken down into a nice, juicy sauce.

  7. 7

    Add your cooked pasta and a splash of the reserved pasta water to the skillet, tossing everything together until the sauce coats the noodles.

  8. 8

    Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, adding a bit more pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.

  9. 9

    Toss in the fresh basil leaves right before serving, and add extra cheese or a drizzle of olive oil on top if you like.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. If you want to add protein, toss in some cooked shrimp, rotisserie chicken, or white beans before serving. For a special treat, place a ball of fresh burrata on top of each bowl.

#vegetarian#easy dinner#pasta#quick meal

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