Perfectly Balanced Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

In today’s fast-paced world, a quick and delicious pasta dish can be the perfect solution for a busy evening. Whether you're hosting friends or simply craving a hearty meal at home, our Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes recipe is simple to follow yet full of flavor.

This versatile dish requires minimal time in the kitchen and yields great results. The cooking process typically takes around 15 minutes from start to finish, which makes it ideal for those who are short on time but want something satisfying to eat.

The recipe serves four people, making it perfect for a small family or as part of a shared meal with friends. If you're looking to increase the portion size slightly, this dish can easily be scaled up by adding more ingredients proportionally.

Ingredients:

1 pound pasta (preferably penne or fusilli)
4 cups cherry tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

To begin preparing your pasta with cherry tomatoes, start by boiling water according to the package instructions. Once you have salted water ready in a large pot, add your choice of pasta and cook until al dente.

In the meantime, prepare the sauce. In a medium-sized pan, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add three finely sliced garlic cloves and sauté them until they become golden brown but not burned. This adds a subtle flavor that enhances the dish nicely without overpowering it.

Meanwhile, halve or quarter your cherry tomatoes depending on their size to ensure even cooking. Once the pasta has cooked for about 10 minutes, drain it and reserve some of the pasta water. Set both aside until you're ready to combine everything into one pot.

Add half of the reserved pasta water along with the drained tomato halves and oregano into your saucepan containing the garlic. Stir gently and let the mixture simmer for about 3-4 minutes while you toss the cooked pasta in a bowl or directly into this warm saucepan to incorporate all flavors together.

Tips:

For added creaminess, mix some heavy cream into your sauce just before serving if preferred. Be mindful of adjusting salt levels accordingly since cream tends to be quite salty on its own.
If you have fresh basil available, a few leaves chopped into the hot pasta right before serving can give an extra burst of freshness and aroma!

After combining your ingredients, allow everything to heat up together for another minute or so. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary – remember that pasta dishes generally benefit from more salt than you might think initially.

Serving Suggestions:

On its own, this dish is filling enough without needing accompaniments. However, if desired, serve alongside a simple green salad or some garlic bread for added texture and freshness.
The cherry tomato pasta pairs wonderfully well with white wine, making it an excellent choice for casual dinners where you want to keep things light yet flavorful.

To finish off your meal gracefully, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each serving. While not strictly necessary, this provides a delightful contrast in both taste and texture.

Conclusion:

The perfect balance between simplicity and richness characterizes this Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes. It’s not only easy to prepare but also incredibly tasty – whether you're serving it for yourself or sharing it among friends. With just a few key steps and common ingredients, you can create a memorable meal that everyone will enjoy.

Next time you find yourself in need of an effortless yet satisfying dinner option, try making this pasta dish. Not only does it taste great but also allows you to experiment with different seasonings or add-ons based on personal preference while keeping the core ingredients intact and delicious!