Description
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is a vibrant and fresh dish that highlights the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes complemented by fragrant garlic and basil, tossed with delicate angel hair pasta and finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a light summer meal, this recipe balances simple, high-quality ingredients to create a flavorful and easy-to-make pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons (6 cloves) garlic, minced
- 18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pantry
- Great quality extra virgin olive oil (amount as needed for sautéing)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb. dried angel hair pasta
Dairy
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente, ensuring it is tender but still has a slight bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Sauté the Tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant but not browned, about 1–2 minutes. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, julienned basil, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook while stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften just slightly, releasing their juices but still maintaining some shape, about 5–7 minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked angel hair pasta directly into the skillet with the tomato mixture. Toss everything together carefully to coat the pasta evenly with the olive oil, garlic, and tomato juices, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Finish: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and add additional julienned basil leaves. Toss once more to incorporate the cheese and herbs evenly throughout the dish.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Use the freshest cherry tomatoes available for the best sweetness and juiciness in the dish.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- If angel hair pasta isn’t available, spaghetti or thin linguine are good substitutes.
- This recipe works well with gluten-free pasta alternatives for those avoiding gluten.
