Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is a quick and delicious meal that’s perfect for warm weather. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the best flavor is to roast the tomatoes. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice and Easy One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Rice Dinner Recipe.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Bursting with fresh flavors
- Easy to make with just a few 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 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz pasta
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cherry tomatoes: Any color will do.
- pasta: Your favorite shape will work.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the dish → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes prep work easier and safer → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Roast the tomatoes: Toss tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water.
- Toss the pasta: In a large bowl, combine pasta, roasted tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. Add some pasta water if needed.
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 be al dente. If it's too soft, it will soak up too much sauce and become mushy.
- Pro tip: For a richer flavor, try roasting the garlic cloves along with the tomatoes.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the tomatoes before roasting.
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: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the parmesan cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the pasta is too dry, add more pasta water or olive oil.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality pasta — Makes a big difference in the taste and texture of the dish → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz pasta
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast the tomatoes: Toss tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water.
- Toss the pasta: In a large bowl, combine pasta, roasted tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. Add some pasta water if needed.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the parmesan cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Make-ahead: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the pasta is too dry, add more pasta water or olive oil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 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.
- Make ahead: The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
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 make the roasted tomatoes ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, it's best to cook the pasta just before serving.
This could be due to overcooking the pasta or not adding enough pasta water or olive oil. Try cooking the pasta al dente and adding more liquid.
No, this recipe requires roasting the tomatoes in the oven.
You can substitute the cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta to make this dish 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!
