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Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 76 reviews

Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is a fresh, vibrant dish featuring juicy cherry tomatoes soaked in olive oil and herbs, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and topped with fragrant basil and Parmesan cheese. This no-cook sauce allows the flavors to deeply meld for hours, making it a perfect light and easy summer meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 1 pound pasta (such as spaghetti or linguine)

Toppings

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Additional fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh basil leaves, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 4 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to deeply develop and the tomatoes to release their juices, creating a fresh, oil-based sauce.
  2. Cook the Pasta: When ready to serve, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of salt to the water. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes depending on the pasta’s thickness. Avoid overcooking to maintain the pasta’s texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta well.
  3. Combine: Add the hot drained pasta directly into the bowl with the tomato mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly, allowing the hot pasta to warm the sauce and absorb the flavors. Then, add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss again briefly to distribute the cheese evenly. Top with additional fresh basil leaves to enhance the aroma and presentation.
  4. Serve: Serve the pasta immediately in large bowls. Garnish with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for added richness and flavor.

Notes

  • Letting the sauce sit for 4 hours is crucial to develop the rich, fresh flavor of the tomatoes and herbs.
  • You can prepare the tomato mixture the night before and let it rest overnight in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature before combining with pasta.
  • Use good quality olive oil for the best flavor impact.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
  • This dish is best served fresh and not recommended for reheating as the fresh herb and tomato flavors are at their peak when freshly made.

Keywords: summer pasta, cherry tomatoes pasta, Ina Garten pasta, summer garden pasta, fresh tomato sauce, easy summer dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/ina-gartens-summer-garden-pasta-recipe/