Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is the perfect, quick dinner for busy summer nights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the best flavor is to roast the cherry tomatoes. This makes them burst with flavor and creates a natural, delicious sauce. The crispy, golden pasta is tossed with fresh basil and melty mozzarella, creating a dish that’s fresh, cozy, and better than takeout. Try it with my Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes and Easy Spring Zucchini Basil Soup Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with fresh, summer flavors
- Better than takeout and ready in 20 minutes
- Crispy golden pasta with a creamy, natural sauce
- Easy to customize with your favorite veggies
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 lb (450g) pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will work, but I prefer penne or fusilli for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and cooking. → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Olive Oil — Improves the flavor of your dish and is healthier than other oils. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until burst and golden.
- Step 2: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add roasted tomatoes and their juices, along with red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 4: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, along with 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to create a creamy sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil leaves and mozzarella cheese. Toss to combine, until the cheese has melted and created a creamy sauce. Serve immediately, topped with your favorite optional toppings.
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 have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, it will absorb too much sauce and become mushy.
- Pro tip: Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor. It makes a big difference in this dish.
- Pro tip: For a lighter dish, use less cheese and more basil. For a heartier dish, add more cheese and some cooked chicken or sausage.
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: You can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and finish cooking just before serving.
Freezing Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
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, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. The texture may become softer.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the mozzarella cheese with ricotta or cottage cheese for a creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, cook it down for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Olive Oil — Improves the flavor of your dish and is healthier than other oils. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until burst and golden.
- Step 2: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add roasted tomatoes and their juices, along with red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 4: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, along with 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to create a creamy sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil leaves and mozzarella cheese. Toss to combine, until the cheese has melted and created a creamy sauce. Serve immediately, topped with your favorite optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the mozzarella cheese with ricotta or cottage cheese for a creamier sauce.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, cook it down for a few more minutes.
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, until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. The texture may become softer.
- Make ahead: You can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and finish cooking just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
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 roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and finish cooking just before serving. See storage notes for more details.
The most common reason for a dry pasta dish is overcooking the pasta. Make sure to cook it al dente and add enough pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
While you can't cook the pasta in the air fryer, you can roast the tomatoes in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
You can substitute the mozzarella cheese with ricotta or cottage cheese for a creamier sauce. Parmesan cheese can also be used, but it has a stronger flavor.
While you can freeze the cooked pasta, the texture may become softer upon thawing and reheating. It's best to freeze the uncooked pasta and cook it directly from frozen.
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!
