Description
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is a fresh and vibrant dish featuring marinated cherry tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil tossed with angel hair pasta and Parmesan cheese. This easy, make-ahead recipe is perfect for warm weather and showcases the flavors of summer.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Mixture
- 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pasta
- 1 pound angel hair pasta
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Marinate the Tomatoes: In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cook the Pasta: When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Toss Pasta with Tomato Mixture: While the pasta is still warm, immediately add it to the bowl with the marinated tomato mixture. Toss well to combine and ensure the pasta absorbs the flavorful juices from the tomatoes.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil over the pasta and tomato mixture. Toss again until the pasta is evenly coated with cheese and basil, enhancing the dish’s freshness and richness.
- Serve: Serve the Summer Garden Pasta warm or at room temperature. This dish pairs well with grilled shrimp or chicken if you want to add protein.
Notes
- This is an excellent make-ahead summer dish since the tomato mixture can marinate for several hours before serving.
- For best flavor, use the ripest cherry tomatoes available.
- If you want to boost the protein content, consider topping the pasta with grilled shrimp or chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 4 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
