Description
A refreshing and vibrant Summer Garden Pasta featuring marinated cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese tossed with tender angel hair pasta. Perfect for warm days, this easy no-cook marinated sauce pairs with quickly cooked pasta to create a simple yet flavorful dish.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup good olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
- 18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pasta
- 1 pound dried angel hair pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for boiling water, optional)
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt (for boiling water)
Finishing
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the tomatoes: In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to marinate.
- Cook the pasta: Just before serving, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to the boiling water. Add the angel hair pasta and cook it al dente according to the package instructions, which typically takes 2 to 3 minutes for angel hair. Be careful not to overcook as this pasta is very thin.
- Drain and combine: Drain the pasta thoroughly and immediately add it to the bowl with the marinated cherry tomato mixture. Add the 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese along with some extra fresh basil leaves. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients and coat the pasta with the flavorful marinade and cheese.
- Serve: Serve the Summer Garden Pasta in large bowls. Add extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves on top of each serving for garnish and added flavor. Enjoy this fresh, light, and flavorful pasta dish.
Notes
- The marinating step is critical to develop a rich, fresh sauce from the raw tomatoes and garlic.
- Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking.
- Use high-quality olive oil for best flavor, both in the marinade and when boiling pasta water.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to taste depending on your spice preference.
- Leftover marinated tomatoes make a great accompaniment to grilled meats or crusty bread.
