Ingredients
Kosher salt
12 oz. orecchiette
1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. tomato paste
5 c. cherry tomatoes, halved (about 1 1/2 lb. total)
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/2 c. finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Chopped fresh basil leaves, for serving
Preparation
Step 1In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, usually 2 to 3 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve 1 c. pasta water and drain pasta.Step 2Meanwhile, in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and light golden, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until paste is brick-red, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and ¾ tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are tender and starting to burst, about 5 minutes.Step 3Increase heat to high and add vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Add pasta, Parmesan, and ½ c. reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens and coats pasta, about 2 minutes more. Add more reserved pasta water by the tbsp., if necessary, to thin sauce so it coats pasta.Step 4Divide pasta among bowls. Top with Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and basil.
Also, this recipe is proof that a killer tomato sauce doesn’t need a long simmer on the stovetop. You’ll create a robust sauce by concentrating the cherry tomatoes’ flavor through bursting them in the skillet, along with other classic enhancers, like olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavor while also adding umami—that “what makes this so tasty” component—which boosts the dish’s savory qualities. Any short or long pasta can be swapped for the orecchiette, but its cupped shape (it’s Italian for “little ear”) cradles the chunky sauce nicely. This dish is especially great with in-season cherry tomatoes, but also fabulous with greenhouse-grown ones. If grape tomatoes are looking better, swap those in for the cherry instead.
