Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is a light, fresh, and flavorful summer meal. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to bring out the tomatoes’ sweetness. The crispy, juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh basil make this dish irresistible. Try it with my Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe with Coconut Milk or Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe with Coconut Milk and Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Light and fresh summer meal
- Bursting with flavor from roasted cherry tomatoes
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for cookouts and BBQs
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
- 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120ml) pasta water
- 1/4 cup (10g) fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape works, but I prefer penne or fusilli for catching the sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta every time. → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Olive Oil — Rich flavor that enhances the dish without overpowering it. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes in 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Toss Pasta: In a large pan, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add roasted tomatoes and pasta water. Toss in cooked pasta and basil leaves. 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 for the best texture.
- Tip: Use a high-quality olive oil to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Tip: Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
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: Pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Roast tomatoes just before serving.
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 spicy kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic oil.
- Best substitution: If cherry tomatoes are not in season, you can use grape tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: Pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Roast tomatoes just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a bit more pasta water to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Olive Oil — Rich flavor that enhances the dish without overpowering it. → 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
- 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120ml) pasta water
- 1/4 cup (10g) fresh basil leaves
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes in 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Toss Pasta: In a large pan, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add roasted tomatoes and pasta water. Toss in cooked pasta and basil leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic oil.
- Best substitution: If cherry tomatoes are not in season, you can use grape tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: Pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Roast tomatoes just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a bit more pasta water to thin it out.
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: Pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Roast tomatoes just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 85g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil FAQs
Yes, you can cook the pasta ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Roast the tomatoes just before serving.
Overcooking the pasta can make it dry. Make sure to cook it until it's al dente.
Yes, you can use regular tomatoes. Just make sure to dice them and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free pasta.
While you can't roast the tomatoes in the air fryer, you can cook the pasta in it. Just follow the package instructions for cooking time and temperature.
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!
