Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Recipe
Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Recipe is fresh, light and full of flavor. This pasta uses simple summer ingredients. It is perfect for warm days and easy dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 oz dried pasta penne or fusilli
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Tomatoes
- Chop tomatoes and place them in a large bowl. Add garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Mix and Rest
- Stir tomato mixture gently. Cover bowl. Let it rest at room temperature for four hours.
Boil the Pasta
- Bring salted water to boil. Cook pasta until tender but firm. Follow package instructions.
Drain the Pasta
- Drain pasta well. Do not rinse. Keep pasta warm for best mixing results.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Add hot pasta to tomato mixture. Toss gently so pasta absorbs the flavors well.
Add Fresh Basil
- Sprinkle chopped basil over pasta. Mix slowly to keep basil fresh and bright.
Add Cheese
- Add grated Parmesan cheese. Toss again until cheese melts slightly and coats pasta.
Check Seasoning
- Taste pasta. Add more salt or pepper if needed. Adjust flavors gently.
Rest Before Serving
- Let pasta sit for two minutes. This helps flavors blend nicely together.
Serve Fresh
- Serve pasta warm. Add extra cheese and basil on top if desired.
Notes
- Use very ripe tomatoes for best flavor.
- Let the tomato mixture rest fully.
- Use good quality olive oil.
- Do not overcook the pasta.
- Add basil at the end for freshness.