Cherry tomato pasta is filled with sweet summer tomatoes, zesty lemon, garlic and basil. It’s a light dish that comes together in only 20 minutes.
The perfect summer pasta recipe is here! Cherry tomato pasta is full of juicy cherry tomatoes bursting with fresh flavor.
Simple pastas are a must-have in my house. Between work and chasing after a 2 year old, I usually only have 20-30 minutes to get a healthy dinner on the table. This pasta fits the bill and is currently my sons favorite.
Cherry tomato pasta uses simple, fresh ingredients and comes together in about 20 minutes. It’s a light and bright dish that is sure to become your new favorite!
If you like this pasta with cherry tomatoes, try my Spanish chorizo pasta, pasta with peas and mint, or creamy corn pasta.
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Ingredients
Summer fresh cherry tomatoes combine with a few simple ingredients to create a quick and easy pasta bursting with flavor.
- Cherry tomatoes
- Spaghetti
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Shredded parmesan cheese
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make cherry tomato pasta
Cherry tomato pasta takes only about 20 minutes to bring together.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions, or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain pasta and set aside.
- In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add half the tomatoes along with the vinegar, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt and black pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes until the tomatoes break down and release their juices.
- Add the remaining tomatoes, stir, and cook until they are just starting to burst. Add the pasta and toss to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
- Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, basil and cheese then serve immediately.
Variations
This pasta with cherry tomatoes is perfect as is, but you can add protein boost or make it vegan with a few simple changes.
- Protein – add cooked grilled shrimp, chicken, or butter beans for a protein boost
- Shallot – add a shallot for even more flavor in step 2.
- Vegan – replace the parmesan with a vegan parmesan cheese.
Equipment
Aside from a cutting board and knife, you’ll also need a large pot to cook the pasta and a large skillet to make the sauce.
Storage
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
To reheat, try warming the pasta in a skillet on the stove with a little water to loosen the sauce if needed.
FAQ
As pasta cooks, it releases some of its starch into the water. Reserving a bit of pasta water is always a good idea to thin out sauces or add even more flavor to the sauce. A few splashes goes a long way!
Pasta Recipes
Looking for other easy pasta recipes like this? Try these:
Cherry tomato pasta
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The perfect summer pasta recipe is here! Cherry tomato pasta is full of juicy cherry tomatoes bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
12 ounces thick spaghetti or bucatini
⅓ extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 pints cherry tomatoes
Juice of half a lemon
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
1½ cups fresh basil leaves
¼ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions, or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain pasta and set aside.
- In a large pan heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add half the tomatoes along with the vinegar, salt, red pepper flakes, salt and several grinds of pepper. Toss to coat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until soft and fragrant. Cook for about 8 minutes until the tomatoes break down and release their juices, stirring every minute.
- Add the remaining tomatoes and cook for about 2 more minutes until they are just starting to soften. Add the pasta and toss to combine. Add a bit of the reserved pasta waster as needed to create a sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
- Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, basil and cheese right before serving.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Delicious summer pasta! My garden is full of tomatoes right now so I’m making this on repeat.
Fabulous recipe!
This is my go-to pasta lately. It’s quick to make but has a lot of flavor, especially when I can get in season tomatoes. I pair it with some baked salmon or chicken to make a complete meal.
Thank you for this simple recipe! I make it for my kids and they eat it all!
Simple pasta!