Description
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a vibrant and fresh dish featuring juicy cherry tomatoes marinated with garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, tossed with delicate angel hair pasta and Parmesan cheese. This light and flavorful salad can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it a perfect make-ahead recipe for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tomato Marinade
- 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
For the Pasta Salad
- 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
- Prepare the Tomato Marinade: 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 all ingredients evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and let this 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 just until al dente according to the package instructions, typically about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the pasta well but do not rinse it, as the hot pasta will absorb the flavorful marinade better.
- 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 while the marinade is absorbed by the noodles. Use a large spoon to scoop up all the garlicky tomato juices to maximize flavor.
- 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. This pasta salad can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a refreshing summer dish.
Notes
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining to ensure it absorbs the tomato marinade deeply.
- Marinating the tomatoes longer (up to 4 hours) enhances the flavors significantly.
- This salad can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled for a versatile dish.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil for the best flavor.
- Angel hair pasta is delicate; be careful not to overcook it as it cooks very quickly.
