Pasta à la Checca

A fresh and light Italian pasta dish featuring thin spaghetti tossed with multicolored cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, optionally topped with peppery arugula. This no-cook sauce lets the natural flavors of ripe tomatoes shine.

4 servings
22 min

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces thin spaghetti
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh arugula
  • to taste kosher salt and black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    1. Cook the pasta until al dente.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, squeeze the tomatoes to break them up (it's faster than chopping, and your kid will likely love joining in).

    5 min

  3. 3.

    3. Add the garlic, oil, arugula (if using), salt, and pepper; set aside.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    4. Drain the pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of the water) and toss it with the tomatoes. If the pasta is still a little dry, add some of the cooking water.

    3 min

  5. 5.

    5. Let sit until the heat from the pasta has cooked the tomatoes and garlic slightly and wilted the arugula, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    2 min

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