This Cherry Tomato Pasta has become one of my favorite go-to dishes because it’s incredibly simple yet full of flavor. I love using fresh cherry tomatoes and high-quality passata to create a light, garlicky sauce that’s perfect for pasta. The ingredients are straightforward, cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, passata, and extra virgin olive oil, making it easy to put together. It’s a dish that highlights the freshness of summer produce and comes together in just 20 minutes.
What I really enjoy about this recipe is how quick and easy it is, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The cherry tomatoes burst into a sweet, juicy sauce that’s seasoned just right with garlic, salt, and a pinch of pepper. Adding fresh basil gives the dish a burst of freshness and richness.
It’s light yet satisfying, and I love how it balances sweetness, tanginess, and a little heat. It’s versatile too, allowing you to keep it vegan or add some creamy Parmesan when serving.
This cherry tomato pasta has become my go-to summer dish. The sauce is made even creamier with a bit of starchy pasta water. Every bite of this pasta is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors, and it’s quickly become one of those meals I turn to again and again when I want something light, flavorful, and satisfying.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Cherry Tomato Pasta
- Quick and Easy: It’s a simple recipe that you can whip up in no time, perfect for when you’re short on time but still want something tasty.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The cherry tomatoes are naturally sweet and juicy, creating a light yet delicious sauce that you’ll really enjoy.
- Customizable: You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, so it’s always just the way you like it.
- Light but Satisfying: It’s a comforting dish that’s not too heavy, making it great for any time of day.
🧾Cherry Tomato Pasta Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe:
- Pasta: Spaghetti is the heart of the dish, and I love how it absorbs the sauce, giving each bite a perfect balance of texture and flavor. It makes the meal feel hearty but not too heavy.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I always use extra virgin olive oil as it brings a lovely richness and smoothness to the sauce. It helps tie everything together and gives the dish that little extra something that makes it feel special.
- Cherry Tomatoes: I choose cherry tomatoes for their sweet and juicy nature. When they cook, they burst and release all their natural flavor, making the sauce taste fresh and full of life.
- Passata: Passata forms the base of the sauce, making it thick, smooth, and rich. It perfectly complements the burst of cherry tomato sweetness and adds that deep tomato flavor I love in every spoonful.
- Garlic: Garlic is essential in my cooking as it gives the dish that savory, fragrant boost. When sautéed, it fills the kitchen with a delicious aroma and really brings out the best in the other ingredients.
- Basil: Fresh basil brings a breath of freshness to the dish. It adds that herby, aromatic flavor that perfectly complements the tomatoes and gives the sauce a bright, vibrant kick.
- Salt & Pepper: Salt and pepper are simple yet essential in pulling everything together. I always taste as I go and adjust, so the seasoning helps bring out the flavors and makes the dish taste just right.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Cherry Tomato Pasta
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, until softened and slightly charred.
3. Remove the roasted cherry tomatoes from the pan and transfer them to a plate. Set them aside.
4. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add passata, garlic, and basil, then season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 8 minutes to meld the flavors. Then, remove the basil and garlic cloves from the mixture.
6. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
7. Add some roasted cherry tomatoes to the pasta and stir until they are well incorporated.
8. Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Garnish with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves, then finish with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
📖Variations
- Cherry Tomato and Spinach Pasta: Adding fresh spinach makes the dish feel lighter and adds a fresh, earthy flavor that complements the sweet tomatoes perfectly.
- Cherry Tomato and Pesto Pasta: Mixing in basil pesto with the passata gives the sauce a rich, herby flavor, making the dish feel vibrant and full of depth.
- Cherry Tomato and Spicy Sausage Pasta: Sautéing spicy sausage or chorizo adds a hearty, spicy kick that contrasts beautifully with the sweet tomatoes and makes the dish more filling.
🍽 What to Serve with Cherry Tomato Pasta
When I serve cherry tomato pasta, I love pairing it with garlic bread or ciabatta. The crusty bread soaks up the sauce and adds comfort to the meal. A fresh tomato Burrata salad is a great addition, with its creamy richness and sweet tomatoes complementing the pasta perfectly. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds a creamy touch. For dessert, I like to keep it light and refreshing with something like lemon tiramisu.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Freshness: I always use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh basil and high-quality extra virgin olive oil make a huge difference and bring out the best in the dish.
Balance Flavors: I taste and adjust the seasoning as I go. Balancing the acidity of the tomatoes with a pinch of sugar, if needed, and adding salt brings everything together perfectly.
Timing: I cook the pasta and sauce at the same time to make sure everything is hot and ready to combine without delay.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: I cook the pasta al dente, so it’s tender but still slightly firm. It holds up well with the sauce and gives a satisfying bite.
Pasta Water: I save a bit of pasta water before draining it. This starchy water helps the sauce stick to the pasta and makes the dish come together nicely.
Storage: If I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, so I can enjoy the meal again without losing any flavor.
🍝More Pasta Recipes!
If you enjoy cooking with pasta, here are some recipes to inspire you:
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Lasagna
- Pasta Alla Norma (Eggplant Pasta)
- Cherry Tomato Pasta
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta Fettuccine
- Gigi Hadid Pasta
- Tuna Pasta Salad
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 g Pasta
- 5 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 100 g Cherry Tomatoes
- 700 g Passata
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- Basil
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt, add the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes start to soften and roasted, about 3 minutes.
- Remove the roasted cherry tomatoes from the pan and place them on a plate. Set aside.
- In a large pan, add the extra virgin olive oil and heat over medium heat.
- Pour in the passata, add garlic gloves and basil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove the basil and garlic cloves from the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and a little bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired sauce consistency. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Add some roasted cherry tomatoes to the pasta and toss until well combined.
- Serve the pasta on serving plates. Garnish with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves and drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious Cherry Tomato Pasta!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This cherry tomato pasta is so fresh and flavorful! The perfect quick and easy weeknight meal.