Description
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this Easy 20-Minute Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, perfect for busy weeknights or light summer dinners. This delightful dish features al dente pasta tossed with fresh basil pesto and sautéed cherry tomatoes, creating a quick and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. Its versatility allows you to customize it with your favorite pasta shapes or add extra veggies and protein for an even heartier option. In just 20 minutes, you can serve up a colorful plate that’s bursting with flavor, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, farfalle, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced, optional)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté halved cherry tomatoes until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute if desired.
- Combine the drained pasta with the sautéed tomatoes in the skillet. Stir in basil pesto and toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 225g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 5mg