Tomato Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups orzo
• to taste Salted water, for boiling
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can / (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• to taste Black pepper
• 1 cup fresh basil, torn
• to taste Grated Parmesan (optional)
• to taste Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Method

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Sauté cherry tomatoes 3–4 minutes until blistered; add to sauce.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet; sauté garlic 30 seconds.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper; simmer 10 minutes.
5. Stir in basil and turn off heat.
6. Toss drained pasta with sauce, loosening with pasta water as needed.
7. Serve warm; top with Parmesan and herbs if desired.

Notes

Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.