Balsamic Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe

Ingredients for Balsamic Tomato Basil Pasta

• 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
• Fresh Basil
• Fresh Tomatoes
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Sea Salt
• Fresh Ground Pepper
• Oregano

How to Make Balsamic Tomato Basil Pasta

1. Prep ingredients: Mince 2 cloves of garlic. Roughly chop 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes. Wash and roughly chop 2 cups of fresh basil leaves. Grate 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
2. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape) and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Sauté garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Simmer tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet. Pour in 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Cover and simmer for 7-10 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened and broken down slightly.
5. Combine and serve: Stir in the chopped basil and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese and extra basil leaves if desired.