Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is a quick, healthy, and flavorful summer dinner idea. After making this many times, I’ve discovered that the trick to making this dish shine is roasting the cherry tomatoes. This brings out their natural sweetness and creates a rich, tangy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. The crispy, golden pasta is filled with fresh basil and melty mozzarella, making it an irresistible family favorite. Try it with my Easy Hearty Lentil and Vegetable Soup for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Dinner and Crispy Feta Phyllo Rolls with Sweet Chili Honey Sauce.
Why This Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Is Pure Comfort
- Quick and easy to make in just 20 minutes
- Healthy and packed with flavor
- Better than takeout and perfect for summer
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb (450g) pasta
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz (225g) mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Pine nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will do, but I prefer fusilli or penne for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Evenly cooks pasta and heats quickly. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Makes quick work of chopping garlic and basil. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta with roasted tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and reserved pasta water. Add mozzarella and basil, toss until cheese melts.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It should have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, it will absorb too much sauce and become mushy.
- Tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
- Tip: To make this dish vegetarian, omit the mozzarella or use a vegan alternative.
Storing & Reheating Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Freezing Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then stir and heat for another 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamy sauce, toss the pasta with a little bit of the reserved pasta water before adding the mozzarella.
- Best substitution: Use canned cherry tomatoes if fresh ones are out of season.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water. If it's too thin, cook it down for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Perfect for cooking pasta and searing garlic, it's a kitchen workhorse that pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) pasta
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz (225g) mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
- Pine nuts
Instructions
- Roast Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta with roasted tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and reserved pasta water. Add mozzarella and basil, toss until cheese melts.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamy sauce, toss the pasta with a little bit of the reserved pasta water before adding the mozzarella.
- Best substitution: Use canned cherry tomatoes if fresh ones are out of season.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water. If it's too thin, cook it down for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then stir and heat for another 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil FAQs
Yes, you can roast the tomatoes and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
You may have overcooked the pasta or not added enough pasta water. Try adding more water or cooking the pasta for less time.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for cooking pasta or roasting tomatoes for this recipe.
You can use a vegan alternative or omit the cheese entirely for a dairy-free version.
Yes, this dish is packed with protein from the pasta and tomatoes, and it's low in fat and calories.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
