Angel Hair with Sautéed Tomatoes – a simple and delicious meal…
Cherry Tomatoes, basil, and loads of garlic sautéed in olive oil, then tossed with pasta water and grated cheese to create a simply delicious meal all made in under 20 minutes.
Angel Hair with Sautéed Tomatoes is one of those dishes you turn to when time is short and you don’t want to settle for dinner. This dish is delicious, simple, and one of my summer favorites.
Although tomatoes are available year round, I only prepare this dish when tomatoes are in season. There is no other way to enjoy tomatoes than to pick them straight from the vine or to have a farmer’s market nearby. There’s a sweet explosion of flavor in your mouth every time you take a bite of a fresh tomato. No matter which variety.
When my husband and I started a garden (pre-kids), we figured more was better. We planted all varieties of tomatoes. Not realizing that one or two plants would accommodate the two of us, we planted a few of the usual varieties – big boy, cherry, , grape, brandywine, Roma, just to name a few. I couldn’t believe the abundance of cherry tomatoes we had. They were never-ending and they all popped at once.
That inspired me to create this dish I am sharing with you today – Angel Hair with Sautéed Tomatoes. There’s a lot of garlic used in this recipe and it should be included in the title, but because this dish is extremely simple to prepare, I wanted the title to be simple as well.
Grape tomatoes, basil, and garlic – how can you go wrong…
Eight ingredients are all that is needed – cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil, red or black pepper, salt, angel hair pasta, and Parmesan or Romano cheese. Preparation will run 20 minutes. Yes, 20 minutes. How cool is that for a healthy, fresh, simple, quick meal?
Cooking the angel hair pasta is the last step because it only takes 2 – 3 minutes. Place a large stock pot of water (enough to accommodate pasta) and about 2 tablespoons of kosher salt then bring to a boil. Give this a head start since the dish comes together fast and pasta cooking time for angel hair is 2 – 3 minutes. Want this close to boiling before you continue. Want to learn more about cooking pasta? Check out How To Cook Pasta.
Slice the cherry or grape tomatoes in half. I like slicing them in half allowing the juices to meld with the olive oil when cooking to create a thicker sauce. Not slicing them will cause the cherry tomatoes to burst and I don’t find that as appealing to the appearance or the flavor.
Grab about 6 medium cloves or garlic – more if you like – to net you 2 tablespoons of minced.
Olive oil is another co-star of this dish. Always use good quality olive oil. Buy the best you can afford. You are worth it.
Grab a handful of fresh basil leaves. Fresh is best.
You can use black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. It depends if you want to add a little heat along with flavor. I use the red pepper. We like heat in my family.
I use Parmesan or Romano cheese. My Zio Tony always bought a quarter wheel of either or both at the market and would give me a huge chunk. I continue to buy in this quantity as it is used frequently in my cooking. It’s whatever I have on hand. Either one is delicious. Just be a little cautious if using Romano since it has a higher salt content.
Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large saute pan over medium high heat. When ripples form, add the garlic and red pepper (if using) and stir to spread across pan. Cook for about 30 seconds or when fragrant.
The tomatoes release their juices and thicken the sauce…
Add the cherry tomatoes, basil, pepper (if not using red pepper), and salt. Stir then lower heat to medium-low. Continue to cook until the tomatoes release their juices and sauce thickens – about 8 minutes.
Cook the angel hair pasta for 2 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining and set aside.
Transfer the angel hair to a large serving bowl. Add the tomato mixture and a cup of the pasta water and toss to fully coat pasta.
Add the cheese and toss to incorporate. The cheese will thicken the sauce. Add more reserved pasta water as needed.
Angel Hair with Sautéed Tomatoes – simply delicious…
Serve with additional Parmesan or Romano cheese, if desired.
I hope you enjoy this quick, simple, pasta dish with your family this summer.
Be happy, eat well…
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 2 tablespoons freshly minced garlic
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves torn into pieces or chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or black pepper*
- kosher salt - I used 1 teaspoon
- 1 pound angel hair pasta
- 1 1/2 cups reserved pasta water
- 1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese plus more for serving
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Place a large stock pot of water (enough to accommodate pasta) and about 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and bring to a boil.
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Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large saute pan over medium high heat. When ripples form, add the garlic and red pepper (if using) and stir to spread across pan. Cook for about 30 seconds or when fragrant.
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Add the cherry tomatoes, basil, pepper (if not using red pepper), and salt. Stir, then lower heat to medium-low. Continue to cook until the tomatoes release their juices and sauce thickens - about 8 minutes.
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Cook the angel hair pasta for 2 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining and set aside.
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Transfer the angel hair to a large serving bowl. Add the tomato mixture and a cup of the pasta water and toss to fully coat pasta.
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Add the cheese and toss to incorporate. The cheese will thicken the sauce. Add more reserved pasta water as needed.
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Serve with additional Parmesan or Romano cheese, if desired.
* I use 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper because we like spicy. Use 1/4 teaspoon or black pepper if you are sensitive to heat.
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