Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is a celebration of peak-season produce, a brilliantly simple dish that transforms the humble cherry tomato into something extraordinary through the magic of marination. This recipe requires minimal cooking but delivers maximum flavor as the tomatoes slowly macerate in olive oil, garlic, and basil, creating a vibrant, fresh sauce that clings beautifully to delicate angel hair pasta. The heat from the crushed red pepper flakes provides a subtle warmth that enhances rather than overwhelms the sweet tomatoes, while the generous amount of Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami-rich complexity that brings all the elements together. What makes this dish so special is how the hot pasta slightly cooks the marinated tomatoes when combined, creating a sauce that’s both fresh and lightly cooked, bright yet comforting.
The genius of this recipe lies in its patient approach and respect for ingredients. The four-hour marination time is not merely a suggestion but the key to the dish’s success, as it allows the tomatoes to release their natural juices which then mingle with the olive oil and seasonings to form a light, flavorful dressing. Using the highest quality ingredients you can find makes a significant difference here—sweet, sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, a robust extra virgin olive oil, and freshly grated Parmesan will elevate this simple preparation to something truly spectacular. The final toss of hot pasta with the room-temperature tomato mixture creates the perfect serving temperature and texture, wilting the basil just enough to release its aroma without losing its fresh character. This is the kind of dish that exemplifies Ina Garten’s philosophy of using a few good ingredients and letting them shine, resulting in a pasta that tastes like summer in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
• Fresh & Vibrant: Captures the essence of summer tomatoes at their peak
• Minimal Cooking: The marination does most of the work for you
• Elegant Simplicity: Impressive enough for company but easy enough for weeknights
• Customizable: Easily adapt with different herbs or add proteins like shrimp or chicken
Ingredients:
• 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 18 leaves fresh basil, julienned (plus more for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Kosher salt, to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 lb angel hair pasta
• 1½ cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus more for serving)
Instructions:
Step 1: Marinate Tomatoes
• In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
• Cover the bowl and let the mixture marinate at room temperature for at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes will release their juices and create a beautiful sauce.
Step 2: Cook Pasta
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
• Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta well.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
• Immediately add the hot drained pasta to the bowl with the marinated tomato mixture.
• Toss thoroughly to combine, adding the grated Parmesan cheese as you toss. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
• Garnish with additional fresh basil and serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.
Tips:
• Don’t Rush the Marination: The full 4 hours allows the flavors to fully develop and the tomatoes to create their own sauce
• Use Quality Ingredients: Splurge on good olive oil and real Parmesan for the best flavor
• Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed right after tossing while the pasta is still hot
• Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water helps create a silky sauce that coats every strand
Storage Options:
• Best Fresh: This dish is ideally served immediately after preparation
• Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
• Note: The pasta will absorb the sauce as it sits; refresh leftovers with a drizzle of olive oil
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is the ultimate expression of summer cooking—simple, fresh, and letting quality ingredients speak for themselves. This beautiful dish captures the essence of the season in every flavorful bite and is sure to become a warm-weather favorite in your home.
