Burst Tomato & Basil Bucatini

Make the most of peak-season tomatoes with this burst tomato & basil bucatini, my favorite easy summer pasta. Bucatini is my go-to shape for its hearty texture and ability to cling to the sauce, but any long noodle works great. This recipe is simple, but every ingredient brings so much flavor - the juicy burst tomatoes, fresh basil, fragrant garlic, and plenty of Parmesan come together for a pasta that tastes far more impressive than the effort it requires. The secret is reserving some of the starchy water the noodles cook in and adding it at the end to emulsify the sauce, creating that silky, super-glossy finish that coats every strand. Serve it straight from the pan with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for the ultimate summer dinner.

Servings: 8 to 10

Special Equipment:

• Microplane

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bucatini (or other long pasta)

• 1 lb cherry tomatoes

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 bunch fresh basil

• 1 chunk Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

1. Prepare the ingredients

   Wash and dry the fresh produce. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Roughly chop the

2. Start the tomato sauce

   Meanwhile, in a medium nonstick pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and CRPF (if using) and season with salt. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant; add tomatoes and season with salt.

3. Finish the tomato sauce

   Cook tomatoes for 8 to 10 minutes, lightly pressing down on them with a wooden spoon (once softened) to release the juices. Taste, then season if desired.

4. Cook the pasta

   Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente (follow package instructions). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain thoroughly.

5. Finish the pasta

   Return pasta to the pot with burst tomatoes, torn basil, and half the reserved pasta water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce coats the noodles. Remove the heat and add the butter; toss until combined. Taste, then season if desired.

6. Garnish & serve

   Plate the pasta in a large serving bowl and garnish with grated cheese and any remaining basil leaves. Enjoy!