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Blistered Tomatoes & Basil Spaghetti

Author: Mary DiSomma

At my house, pasta dishes are a staple. I could honestly write an entire cookbook dedicated to just pasta recipes! Despite the endless possibilities, we often find ourselves gravitating towards the simpler dishes. There's something truly magical about a few quality ingredients coming together to create a delicious meal. This Fast and Easy Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes and Fresh Basil recipe is a perfect example. With ripe teardrop tomatoes and fresh basil, this dish is packed with flavor.

Blistered Tomatoes & Basil Spaghetti

Blistered Tomatoes & Basil Spaghetti

Looking for a fast and easy pasta dinner? Try this delicious pasta with blistered tomatoes and fresh basil. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and packed with fresh summer flavors!

Yield
2
Prep Time
10 minutes 10 min
Cook Time
16 minutes 16 min
Total Time
26 minutes 26 min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add the salt, followed by the pasta. Cook until al dente. Check your pasta package for cooking time information.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet. I love to use my cast iron skillet for this recipe.
  3. When the oil shimmers, add the whole cherry or teardrop tomatoes. Cook them, stirring only a few times to move them around, until the skins begin to blister, and they look like they are going to burst. This only takes about 2 to 3 minutes so keep an eye on them!
  4. Add the shallot and garlic and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook until the shallots are just softened, about 1 minute.
  5. Carefully pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer. You want to reduce the wine by about one half.
  6. You should now be ready to drain your pasta. Save ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta through a colander over your sink. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes and toss gently. Add a little of the reserved pasta water, about 1 tablespoon at a time, until the pasta dish is at the desired consistency. You probably will not use all the water.
  7. Add the lemon juice to taste along with a fresh grind of black pepper, then carefully fold in the fresh basil. Transfer the pasta to a serving platter or individual bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan.
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Blistered Tomatoes & Basil Spaghetti

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Ingredient Tips

Blistered tomatoes are small, cooked tomatoes that bring a wonderful burst of flavor and texture to this dinner recipe. How do you make blistered tomatoes? You basically cook them over high heat in a cast iron skillet until their skins slightly blacken and begin to blister. You want them to keep their shape, so be careful not to overcook them! Cooking tomatoes this way enhances their natural sweetness and creates a delicious, rustic topping that looks nice too. 

Preparation + Preservation Tips

My favorite pasta for this recipe is thin spaghetti.

You can use any type of pasta you have on hand for this one—spaghetti, fettuccine, bow tie, rigatoni, or whatever else you like.

Use freshly grated Parmesan when you make pasta. 

Always use a wedge of Parmesan and grate it with a microplane for the best flavor. There’s no substitute for that rich, savory, freshly grated taste!


Measure out your basil after it’s cut.

When measuring out your basil, do so after cutting it into a chiffonade. This ensures you get the perfect amount of this fragrant herb, which pairs beautifully with the blistered tomatoes and garlic.

Extra Tips

Easy Fettuccine Pasta with Pancetta, Asparagus and Peas→

Easy Burrata Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto→

A St. Joseph's Day Pasta Recipe: Bucatini with Sardines and Olive Oil Breadcrumbs→

It's So Good Limoncello Fettuccine→

Heirloom Tomato and Basil Quiche with Paté Brisee Crust→

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