Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is a burst of fresh flavors that’s perfect for summer cookouts. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to getting the best roasted cherry tomatoes. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Garlic Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Smoky Spices and Quick Cajun Scallops in Creamy Mustard Sauce Dinner.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Fresh and vibrant flavors
- Easy to customize with your favorite proteins
- Perfect for meal prepping
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.
- Pasta
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Basil
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Optional: Parmesan Cheese
- Optional: Pine Nuts
- Optional: Balsamic Glaze
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Use any shape you prefer. I like penne or fusilli for this dish.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halve them for faster roasting.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good Quality Olive Oil — Makes a big difference in flavor → See on Amazon
- Pasta Pot — Makes cooking pasta easier and less messy → 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 some pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: Sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Toss roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and sautéed garlic together. Add some pasta water if needed.
- Finish with Basil: Stir in fresh basil and serve with your choice of toppings.
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 some of the reserved pasta water to the pan and toss.
- Pro tip: For a more intense flavor, roast the garlic cloves along with the tomatoes.
- Pro tip: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
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 for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Freezing Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Not recommended for this dish.
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, add some cooked cannellini beans or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is sticking to the pan, add some of the reserved pasta water.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Pasta Pot — Even cooking and less mess → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Pasta
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Basil
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pine Nuts
- Balsamic Glaze
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 some pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: Sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Toss roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and sautéed garlic together. Add some pasta water if needed.
- Finish with Basil: Stir in fresh basil and serve with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, add some cooked cannellini beans or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is sticking to the pan, add some of the reserved pasta water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this dish.
- 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: You can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
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 roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
You may have overcooked the pasta or not used enough pasta water. Always reserve some pasta water when cooking pasta.
No, this recipe requires roasting the tomatoes in the oven.
You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
Yes, just use gluten-free pasta.
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!
