Old School Spaghetti
This simple and satisfying spaghetti is a love letter to the power of fresh ingredients and classic technique. With sweet cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, and just the right amount of seasoning, it's the kind of no-fuss dinner that feels comforting and a little special — all in under 30 minutes.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
- 1 pinch sugar optional, if tomatoes are tart
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped or torn
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add cherry tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar if needed. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes burst and soften. Lightly mash a few to create a sauce.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil.
- Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat, adding more water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and toss gently to combine.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Add red pepper flakes for a kick, or stir in mascarpone or sautéed greens for a richer variation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 577kcalCarbohydrates: 87.5gProtein: 20.5gFat: 12.3gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 400mgFiber: 4.3gSugar: 3.5g