Description
This Summer Fresh Tomato Pasta is a vibrant and easy-to-make dish perfect for warm weather. Using ripe, juicy tomatoes combined with fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil, this recipe requires no cooking for the sauce and a quick boil for the pasta, delivering fresh, bright flavors in just 20 minutes. Serve it warm or chilled, optionally garnished with parmesan, for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Mixture
- 10oz / 300g ripe tomatoes (grape, cherry, or roma)
- 1 small garlic clove (grated, double if preferred)
- Big handful fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta
- 6oz / 170g spaghettini pasta or classic spaghetti
Optional Garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Dice the ripe tomatoes into small cubes and place them in a large mixing bowl, ensuring they are juicy for the best flavor.
- Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Chop the basil leaves finely and grate the garlic cloves using a microplane grater. Add these to the tomatoes along with the olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture well to combine.
- Marinate: For optimal taste, cover the bowl and marinate the tomato mixture in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. If short on time, even 10 minutes while cooking the pasta will suffice.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or spaghettini according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Toss Pasta with Tomato Mixture: Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the bowl with the marinated tomatoes. Pour in the reserved pasta water and gently toss everything together to combine flavors.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the pasta to sit for 10 minutes to let it soak in the tomato juices and enhance flavor. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Garnish with grated parmesan and fresh basil if desired and enjoy your fresh summer pasta!
Notes
- Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor and juice.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic taste, double the amount of garlic.
- Marinating the tomato mixture enhances the flavor but is optional if short on time.
- Reserving pasta water helps to bind the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- This dish can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or as a chilled pasta salad.
- For a vegan version, omit parmesan garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: summer pasta, fresh tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, fresh basil recipes
