Description
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring halved cherry tomatoes marinated in garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, tossed with al dente angel hair pasta and plenty of Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for warm weather, offering a fresh and satisfying combination of tastes that can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 900 g (32 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 6 tbsp garlic cloves, minced
- 18 large fresh basil leaves, julienned
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 454 g (1 lb) angel hair pasta
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for serving
- Extra fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Tomatoes: In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil leaves, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to mix everything well. Cover with plastic wrap and let this fragrant mixture marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until just al dente according to package directions. Drain well but do not rinse to ensure the pasta absorbs the marinade.
- Combine Pasta and Marinade: Immediately add the hot, drained pasta to the bowl with the marinated tomatoes. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and gently toss everything together until the cheese melts and coats the pasta, and the marinade is absorbed by the noodles. Use a large spoon to scoop up all the garlicky tomato juices.
- Finish and Serve: Add a handful of extra fresh basil leaves and give the salad a final gentle toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Top with extra Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a refreshing summer dish.
Notes
- Marinating the tomatoes longer enhances the flavor, but do not exceed 4 hours at room temperature for freshness and safety.
- Angel hair pasta is recommended for its delicate texture, but thin spaghetti can be substituted if needed.
- This salad is versatile: serve it warm immediately or refrigerate for a chilled version.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure your Parmesan cheese is free from animal rennet.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; toss gently before serving.
