Pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil is an easy, authentic Italian pasta dish—light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. This simple yet flavorful recipe is a staple in Italian cuisine and it will bring the taste of Italy straight to your kitchen.
What Is Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic, and Basil?
This classic Italian pasta recipe is the ultimate summer dish—fresh, healthy, and effortless. Italians prepare pasta with cherry tomatoes on hot, lazy days, when they crave something quick yet delicious.
We love it because it takes no more effort than cutting ripe cherry tomatoes in two and seasoning them with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, garlic, and basil. Cooking pasta- high-quality pasta – is so easy we don’t even consider it an issue.
You can serve this pasta hot or at room temperature.
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How to Make Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomatoes Like an Italian
Making pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil at home is incredibly simple. In about 15 minutes—just enough time for the pasta to cook—your meal is ready.
Tips for the Perfect Italian Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes:
- Use high-quality ingredients – Choose ripe, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and excellent extra-virgin olive oil.
- Don’t overcook the pasta – For the perfect texture, cook it al dente. If making a cold pasta salad, cook it two minutes less than the package instructions.
- Let the flavors blend – Toss the pasta with the seasoned cherry tomatoes immediately after draining—the heat helps the flavors infuse beautifully.
For a chilled Italian pasta salad version, spread the drained pasta on a tray to cool before mixing with the sauce. If preparing in advance, refrigerate and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Essential Tools and Ingredients for This Recipe
This list includes affiliate links to the best Italian ingredients and tools.
- Best Italian Pasta: Spaghettoni Benedetto Cavalieri – artisanal pasta with perfect texture.
- Grow Your Own Basil: Basil Seeds – fresh basil makes all the difference!
- Your Guide to Italian Cooking: Simposio Travel Cookbook – explore Italian cuisine with stories, recipes, and travel insights.
Pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil
Ingredients
- 2.8 oz spaghetti or spaghettoni 80 gr
- 1-2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2-3 basil leaves
- 1/2 garlic clove
- extra-virgin olive oil
- salt
Instructions
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Peel and cut the garlic clove in half.
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Bring a large pot (about ½ gallon) of salted water to a boil. Add 2-3 teaspoons of salt.
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Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, the garlic clove, and the basil leaves (torn by hand).
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Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
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Stir the tomato mixture occasionally to help the flavors merge.
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Drain the pasta and add it directly to the bowl with the tomatoes.
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Mix well and serve immediately.
Enjoy your fresh cherry tomatoes pasta—the taste of an Italian summer!
Claudia