Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is the perfect, fresh, and better-than-takeout dish for summer cookouts. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly roasted cherry tomatoes that burst with flavor. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Dill Pickle Fritters and Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with fresh, summer flavor
- Better than takeout – save money and time
- Easy to customize with your favorite proteins
- Perfect for meal prepping and leftovers
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 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crispy Dill Pickle Fritters
- Optional: Grilled chicken or shrimp
- Optional: Pinenuts or almonds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will do, but I prefer farfalle or penne.
- cherry tomatoes: Mix colors for a pop of summer vibrancy.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even heat distribution for perfect al dente pasta every time. → See on Amazon
- Bamboo Cutting Board — Durable and gentle on knives for easy prep work. → 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 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Combine: Add roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and 1/2 cup pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Finish: Stir in fresh basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Top with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the skillet with the tomatoes. If it's too firm, add more pasta water.
- Pro tip: For a creamier pasta, toss in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or ricotta with the pasta water.
- Variation: Add cooked vegetables like zucchini or spinach for a heartier meal.
- Make-ahead: Roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine when ready to serve.
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 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine when ready to serve.
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, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mix of heirloom cherry tomatoes for added flavor and color.
- Best substitution: Substitute regular tomatoes for cherry tomatoes, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Make-ahead: Roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is too firm, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Olive Oil — Better flavor and texture for your pasta and roasted tomatoes. → 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 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings
- Crispy Dill Pickle Fritters
- Grilled chicken or shrimp
- Pinenuts or almonds
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 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Combine: Add roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and 1/2 cup pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Finish: Stir in fresh basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Top with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mix of heirloom cherry tomatoes for added flavor and color.
- Best substitution: Substitute regular tomatoes for cherry tomatoes, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Make-ahead: Roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is too firm, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 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, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- 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, roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine when ready to serve.
You likely didn't reserve enough pasta water. Always reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for roasting tomatoes or cooking pasta.
Dried basil or oregano can be used as a substitute, but fresh basil provides the best flavor.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
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!
