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Easy Cherry Tomato Pasta (to Share with the Kids)

With a no-cook, stir-together sauce, this easy Cherry Tomato Pasta is an easy family dinner. And OH so delicious and fresh. You can leave it chunky or blend it smooth—it's so versatile for all preferences!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 302kcal
Author Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (I prefer Sungold, but any color or variety work)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound pasta
  • Parmesan cheese and/or black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Place a knife flat on the garlic and hit it to mash. Remove the skin (it should come right off).
  • Place the tomatoes, garlic, basil, salt, and olive oil in a bowl.
  • Stir together.
  • Place a large pot of water over high heat and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.
  • Remove the garlic from the sauce. (It is very, very spicy when fresh—if you like that, mince it up and add it to your portion!)
  • (Optional: Remove the basil and blend up the sauce. I remove the basil to keep the color looking nice but you could leave it in if you don't mind that. You can also blend the tomatoes first, then add the garlic and basil to skip the step of chopping.)
  • Toss the pasta with the sauce and serve topped with Parmesan and/or black pepper as desired.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat to serve.
  • Use any pasta you prefer and cut up for easier eating for the kids as needed.
  • You can blend the sauce and use just a little on the kid's portion if this is a new flavor.
  • Remove the mashed garlic after the sauce marinates to avoid bites of spice (or leave them in if you like that!).
  • Top with grated Parmesan and/or black pepper if desired.
  • Use any color of cherry tomatoes. Orange ones called Sungold or Sunsweet are often sweeter and more appealing to kids.

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 368IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg