Description

Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining juicy marinated cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and angel hair pasta tossed with Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make pasta salad celebrates summer garden flavors and can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled for a refreshing meal or side dish perfect for warm weather gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Marinade

900 g (32 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup olive oil
6 tbsp garlic cloves, minced
18 large fresh basil leaves, julienned
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Pasta and Garnish

454 g (1 lb) angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups (6 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for serving
Extra fresh basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

Create the Tomato Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil leaves, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to mix everything well. Cover with plastic wrap and let the mixture marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Cook the Angel Hair Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until just al dente, according to package directions. Drain the pasta well but do not rinse; keeping it hot will help the pasta absorb the tomato marinade flavors.
Assemble the Salad: Immediately add the hot, drained pasta to the bowl of marinated tomatoes. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and toss gently until the cheese melts and coats the pasta, allowing the marinade to be absorbed by the noodles. Use a large spoon to collect all the flavorful garlicky tomato juices.
Finish with Fresh Basil and Serve: Add a handful of extra fresh basil leaves and give the salad a final gentle toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with extra Parmesan cheese before serving. The salad can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled for a refreshing summer dish.

Notes

Do not rinse the pasta after cooking to retain the hot pasta’s ability to absorb the tomato marinade flavors.
Marinating the tomatoes longer intensifies the flavor; aim for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours at room temperature.
This pasta salad can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled, making it versatile for any season or occasion.
Use fresh, high-quality basil and Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
If you prefer a spicier salad, adjust the red pepper flakes to taste.