Spaghetti with Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce

Servings: 4 – 6

Total time: 30 min

Ingredients

– 1 pound good quality spaghetti

– 1 pint cherry tomatoes

– 1 generous tablespoon of chopped garlic

– 1 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper

– 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

– 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

– Salt

Directions

1. Boil water for spaghetti according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Rinse the cherry tomatoes.

3. Peel and chop the garlic.

4. In a sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.

5. Add garlic, red chili pepper (to taste) and cherry tomatoes to the oil and mix gently, ensuring the tomatoes receive a light coating of oil all over their skins.

6. Cover the pan and let the tomatoes open and release their juices to mix with the oil. Uncover the pan and stir every 5 minutes or so just to agitate the tomatoes. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes (cooking time depends on your preference, the longer the cook time the more the tomatoes will cook into the sauce). Add salt to taste.

7. While the tomatoes are cooking, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Drain the pasta and pour it into a serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, garlic and oil from the other pan and mix thoroughly.

9. Serve immediately.

Notes

– If you prefer, you can substitute the Parmigiano Reggiano with 1/4 cup of Grana Padano or 2 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano cheese.

– If the tomatoes don’t produce enough liquid for the sauce, you may add 1/4 cup of water.