Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is a fresh, light, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to the best roasted cherry tomatoes. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Asian Tuna Cakes with Spicy Sriracha Aioli and Creamy Ají Amarillo Chicken with Easy Pan Sauce.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Fresh, light, and flavorful
- Better than takeout
- Easy to make
- Perfect for summer cookouts
What You'll Need for Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
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
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Optional: Parmesan Cheese
- Optional: Pine Nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Any shape will do, but farfalle or penne work well.
- Basil: Fresh is best, but dried can be used in a pinch.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even cooking and no sticking → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Olive Oil — Rich flavor for your pasta → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
- 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: In a large pan, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss to combine. Add balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Serve pasta hot, topped with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente. If your pasta is too sticky, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Pro tip: For a vegetarian version, add some cooked cannellini beans to the pasta for extra protein.
- Pro tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
Storing & Reheating Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
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: You can make the roasted tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Freezing Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
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 spicy version, add some red pepper flakes to the pasta.
- Best substitution: You can use canned cherry tomatoes in a pinch, but fresh are best.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the pasta and tomato quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Olive Oil — Rich flavor for your pasta → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Pasta
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Basil
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Balsamic Vinegar
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pine Nuts
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: In a large pan, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes, cooked pasta, and reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss to combine. Add balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Serve pasta hot, topped with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add some red pepper flakes to the pasta.
- Best substitution: You can use canned cherry tomatoes in a pinch, but fresh are best.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the pasta and tomato quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 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 make the roasted tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 500
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- 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 – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make the roasted tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
You may have overcooked the pasta or not reserved enough pasta water. Try adding some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Yes, but fresh are best. Canned can be used in a pinch.
No, but you can use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles for a gluten-free version.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes for the best texture.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil – Better Than Takeout 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!
