the quick, easy sauce for this dish, linguine alla carettiera, can be prepared while the pasta cooking water comes to a boil. Or for more flavor, make the sauce ahead, letting the garlic and basil steep in the olive oil for an hour before adding the tomatoes and cheese. Plus: More Pasta Recipes and Tips
How to Make It
In a mortar, pound the garlic to a paste with the salt. Stir in the olive oil, then add the basil and lemon juice and pound gently until the basil is bruised. Scrape the sauce into a large pasta bowl and add the tomatoes and 1/4 cup of Pecorino Toscano cheese.
Cook the linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain lightly. Immediately transfer the pasta to the bowl and toss until coated with the sauce. Serve at once, passing more Pecorino at the table.