Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is the perfect summer dish. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the best flavor is to roast the cherry tomatoes. This roasting process brings out their natural sweetness and intensifies their flavor. The crispy, golden pasta is irresistible and will make your family beg for seconds. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rosemary Dijon Chicken Breast Recipe for Dinner and Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers Quick and Easy Dinner Recipe.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Fresh, light, and flavorful
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout
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
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will work, but farfalle or penne are good choices.
- cherry tomatoes: You can also use grape or plum tomatoes.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta. → See on Amazon
- Pasta Cooker — Makes draining pasta easy and mess-free. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic in 2 tbsp olive oil until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes, pasta water, heavy cream, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the pan. Toss to coat in the sauce. If needed, add more pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Finish: Stir in fresh basil leaves. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic glaze (if using).
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 have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, it will absorb too much sauce and become soggy.
- Pro tip: For a richer sauce, you can add 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream to the pan after adding the pasta water.
- Pro tip: To make this dish vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
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: This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the roasted tomatoes and cook the pasta up to a day ahead.
Freezing Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the pasta will become mushy when thawed.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Best substitution: If you can't find fresh basil, you can use 1 tbsp dried basil instead.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes and cooked pasta can be made ahead of time. When ready to serve, simply combine the ingredients and reheat if needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Basil — Fresh basil adds a burst of flavor to this dish. Using high-quality basil ensures the best taste. → 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
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) fresh basil leaves
Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic in 2 tbsp olive oil until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes, pasta water, heavy cream, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the pan. Toss to coat in the sauce. If needed, add more pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Finish: Stir in fresh basil leaves. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic glaze (if using).
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Best substitution: If you can't find fresh basil, you can use 1 tbsp dried basil instead.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes and cooked pasta can be made ahead of time. When ready to serve, simply combine the ingredients and reheat if needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the pasta will become mushy when thawed.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the roasted tomatoes and cook the pasta up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 85g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
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 use sun-dried tomatoes. Use about 1/2 cup (85g) and rehydrate them in hot water for 10 minutes before using.
Overcooking the pasta and not reserving enough pasta water can lead to soggy pasta. Be sure to cook the pasta al dente and reserve at least 1/2 cup (120ml) pasta water.
Yes, you can prepare the roasted tomatoes and cook the pasta up to a day ahead. When ready to serve, simply combine the ingredients and reheat if needed.
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Yes, you can use regular tomatoes. You'll need about 2-3 medium tomatoes. Cut them into wedges before roasting.
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!
