Description
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is a light and fresh dish featuring halved cherry tomatoes sautéed with garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, combined with perfectly cooked angel hair pasta and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This recipe celebrates summer flavors with its simple yet vibrant ingredients, perfect for a quick and elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Mixture
- 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- Great quality extra virgin olive oil (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
- 18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 lb. dried angel hair pasta
Toppings
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well to remove all excess water and set aside.
- Sauté the Tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, julienned basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook the mixture while stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften slightly but still hold their shape, about 6-8 minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked and drained angel hair pasta directly into the skillet with the tomato mixture. Toss everything together carefully to coat the pasta evenly with the flavorful tomato sauce.
- Finish: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss again to incorporate the cheese into the dish. Add extra basil leaves for garnish and mix gently.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired for a beautiful and aromatic presentation.
Notes
- For best flavor, use the freshest cherry tomatoes available.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce.
- This dish is best served immediately but can be kept warm for a short period.
- Substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper cheese flavor.
