Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta
Embrace the bounty of the summer garden with Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta, a dish that bursts with the fresh flavors of ripe cherry tomatoes and vibrant basil.
This recipe is a perfect illustration of how simplicity can lead to a meal that’s both stunning and satisfying. It’s the ideal dish for those warm summer evenings when you want a light and decadent dinner.
The magic of this pasta lies in its marinade, where cherry tomatoes meld with fragrant garlic and basil, olive oil, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.
The ingredients are left to sit at room temperature, allowing the tomatoes to release their juices and create a naturally sweet and spicy sauce that clings to each strand of pasta. It’s a celebration of summer’s freshness, all brought together with the rich, salty tang of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients:
- 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- Extra virgin olive oil, as needed (approximately 1/2 cup)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb angel hair pasta
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Preparation:
- In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together gently.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 4 hours. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to soften slightly, creating a delicious, fresh sauce.
- When you’re ready to eat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add a splash of olive oil to the water and then cook the angel hair pasta according to the package directions, usually just a few minutes as angel hair is very thin.
- Drain the pasta well, then add it directly into the bowl with the marinated cherry tomatoes.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the tomato mixture.
- Serve the pasta with additional julienned basil and more Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top for added flavor and presentation.