Description
A vibrant and fresh pasta recipe that makes excellent use of garden-fresh vegetables, combining linguine with a flavorful tomato and basil sauce enhanced by garlic, onion, and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick, wholesome meal in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta (or preferred noodle pasta, uncooked)
Sauce and Seasoning
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion (sweet, yellow, or white onion; about ½ large onion)
- 6 large cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 24 oz cherry tomatoes (about 6 cups)
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon table salt (plus additional for cooking pasta and to taste/as needed)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ heaping teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 oz fresh basil leaves (shredded or cut into ribbons; about 1/3 cup)
- ⅓ cup freshly grated or shredded parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and set aside.
- Heat the Oil and Cook Onions: While the pasta cooks, heat ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the finely chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the thinly sliced garlic and cook for an additional 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Add the cherry tomatoes, granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook until the tomatoes soften and burst. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently crush the tomatoes, helping create a saucy consistency.
- Add Fresh Basil: Stir in the shredded fresh basil leaves to infuse the sauce with aromatic flavor.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the warm, drained linguine to the skillet and stir well to combine. Gradually add splashes of the reserved pasta water (approximately ¼ cup) to loosen the sauce and coat the noodles evenly, preventing dryness.
- Finish with Parmesan and Seasoning: Remove the skillet from heat, add the freshly grated parmesan cheese, and stir until well incorporated. Taste the pasta and adjust salt or pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve warm, topped with additional parmesan cheese if desired, alongside a fresh side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help blend the sauce and pasta for a silky texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on spice preference.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with a vegetarian hard cheese if desired.
- Use fresh cherry tomatoes for best flavor, but canned can be used in a pinch.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian