Description
This refreshing Summer Garden Pasta recipe features juicy cherry tomatoes marinated with garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, tossed with delicate angel hair pasta and freshly grated Parmesan. Perfect for warm weather, this dish highlights fresh garden flavors with a simple preparation that lets the ingredients shine.
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
- 3 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (roughly 5-6 medium cloves)
- 12 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
Pantry Items
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pasta & Cheese
- 1 pound angel hair pasta (or gluten-free pasta)
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving (optional if vegan or dairy-free)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash the cherry tomatoes and basil thoroughly. Cut the tomatoes in half and slice the basil leaves into thin strips (julienne style).
- Make the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil, crushed red pepper flakes, Celtic sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside at room temperature for at least 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to release their juices.
- Cook the Pasta: Just before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 2 to 3 minutes, until al dente. Be careful as angel hair cooks quickly.
- Drain the Pasta: Drain the pasta well in a colander, making sure to remove excess water.
- Toss Pasta with Marinade: Transfer the drained pasta to the bowl with the marinated tomatoes and gently toss to combine all the ingredients.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the pasta mixture until it is evenly distributed and slightly melted by the pasta’s warmth.
- Plate and Serve: Serve the pasta in large bowls, topping each portion with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for garnish.
Notes
- You can use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Skip the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative to make the dish vegan or dairy-free.
- The marinating step is key to developing rich flavors – do not skip or shorten the time.
- Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking.
- If marinating longer than 4 hours, keep the bowl covered at room temperature but not in direct sunlight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian