Ingredients
– 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
– Extra virgin olive oil, as needed (starting with 1/2 cup for marinating)
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– 18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus more for serving
– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
– Kosher salt, to taste (starting with 1 teaspoon for marinating)
– 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
– 1 pound angel hair pasta
– 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
– 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or whole-grain)
– 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons (about 1 cup)
– 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
– 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
– 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino (optional)
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
– 1 lemon, zested and juiced
– 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds (optional)
Instructions
1-First Step: Mise en Place and Pasta Cooking Start by gathering your ingredients for a smooth cooking process. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and prepare your vegetables while it heats. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then reserve some pasta water before draining.
2-Second Step: Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables Once your pasta is on, heat oil in a skillet and add garlic to build flavor. Sauté the vegetables until they soften, enhancing their natural sweetness for the Summer Garden Pasta.
3-Third Step: Build the Sauce and Combine Lower the heat and mix in the reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Add the pasta and seasonings, tossing everything together for an even coat.
4-Fourth Step: Adjust Seasoning and Protein Taste and tweak flavors, then incorporate any protein options to round out the dish. This ensures your Summer Garden Pasta is both nutritious and satisfying.
5-Fifth Step: Rest and Finish Let the pasta rest briefly to meld flavors, then add final touches like fresh herbs and olive oil for a polished finish.
6-Final Step: Serve and Adapt Serve right away and consider adaptations for storage or reheating to keep the dish fresh. For more on variations, see the protein alternatives section.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍅 Allow the tomatoes to marinate for at least 4 hours to release their natural juices and develop a fresh sauce.
🍝 Use angel hair pasta for a delicate texture that evenly coats with the tomato mixture.
🌶 Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marination time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: No cooking, marinating, boiling pasta
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving