Nothing is more comforting than a simple bowl of pasta and tomato sauce. But sometimes you just don't have the time for a 3-hour ragù. (We occasionally prioritize after-work drinks, too.) Fortunately, the juicy flavor of cherry tomatoes in this quick sauté can save you from a sad canned sauce dinner.
The process is straightforward. First, warm up a generous pour of olive oil in a sauté pan and add some sliced garlic, red chili flakes, and a couple cups of small tomatoes. (Cherry, grape, and pear all work well here.) When the tomatoes begin to develop color and break open, cover the pan. After about five minutes, throw in a few sprigs of herbs—oregano, thyme, rosemary, or basil are all good—and toss to combine. Continue cooking, covered, until the tomatoes have release some liquid and are soft, then gently push down on them with the back of a spoon. Add in a nub of butter and swirl the ingredients together in the pan; the luxurious buttery tomato liquid should come together to create a sauce-like consistency.
And that's it: fresh flavored tomato sauce in just 10 minutes. If you want a smoother sauce, pour everything into a blender and pulse until you've reached your desired texture, but we like it on the chunky side. To complete your dinner, toss pasta directly into the pan to coat with sauce and season with salt and cracked black pepper.
This quick technique can be used for so much more than your weekly spaghetti night. Serve it stirred it into couscous or rice for an instant flavor upgrade, spread on top of toast for a simple crostini or a delicious grilled cheese addition, or spooned on top of roast meats.
