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Easy Bursting Cherry Tomato Pasta with Feta and Fresh Basil

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A quick and delicious pasta dish featuring whole cherry tomatoes that burst in the pan, combined with creamy feta and fresh basil for a fresh, lightly sauced meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (about 300g) whole cherry tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces (225g) dry spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 ounces (115g) crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional), a pinch
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4-5 quarts). Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and gently sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just turning golden. Be careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the whole cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften and burst. Use the back of a wooden spoon or spatula to gently press a few tomatoes to encourage more juice release.
  4. Season the tomato mixture with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine, then lower the heat to keep the tomatoes warm while the pasta finishes.
  5. Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
  6. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the pasta. Add the torn fresh basil leaves and lemon zest if using, then gently toss again to mix flavors without breaking up the feta too much.
  7. Serve immediately with an extra drizzle of olive oil and a few whole basil leaves for garnish. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper on top.

Notes

Slice garlic thinly instead of mincing to avoid bitterness. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking tomatoes to allow them to burst evenly. Toss pasta off heat with feta and basil to preserve texture and flavor. Use good quality olive oil for best taste. For vegan or dairy-free versions, substitute feta with vegan cheese or tofu and add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, feta pasta, fresh basil pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, bursting tomatoes, weeknight dinner

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