Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is the perfect dish for warm weather. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping the pasta light and fresh is to roast the cherry tomatoes. This brings out their sweetness and creates a beautiful, vibrant dish that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Thai Fried Chicken Sandwich and Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Fresh and vibrant flavors
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout and perfect for summer cookouts
What You'll Need for Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb (450g) pasta
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 3 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Use any shape you like, such as fusilli, penne, or bow tie.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Evenly cooks pasta and prevents sticking. → See on Amazon
- Baking Sheet — Roasts vegetables evenly and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine. If needed, add more pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Add Basil: Stir in fresh basil leaves and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente. If it's too firm, add more pasta water and cook for an additional minute.
- Time-saving tip: Roast the tomatoes while the pasta cooks to save time.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Storing & Reheating Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezing Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the parmesan cheese.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time, but the pasta is best cooked fresh.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the pasta is too dry, add more pasta water. If it's too wet, cook the pasta for an additional minute.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Olive Oil — Enhances the flavor of the roasted tomatoes and pasta. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) pasta
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch fresh basil
Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine. If needed, add more pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Add Basil: Stir in fresh basil leaves and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the parmesan cheese.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time, but the pasta is best cooked fresh.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the pasta is too dry, add more pasta water. If it's too wet, cook the pasta for an additional minute.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 500
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil FAQs
While you can roast the tomatoes ahead of time, it's best to cook the pasta fresh for the best texture.
You may not have reserved enough pasta water or cooked the pasta for too long. Add more pasta water and cook for an additional minute.
Yes, but the flavor won't be as vibrant. Drain the canned tomatoes before using.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for cooking pasta or roasting tomatoes for this dish.
Nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan can be used as a substitute.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
