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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Pasta

    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    Published: May 2, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    103 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of cherry tomato pasta with a text title overlay.

    When it comes to pasta dishes, simple is best, and it doesn't get much easier than this Cherry Tomato Pasta. Just 7 ingredients go in to making this light and fresh pasta dish that is ready in under 15 minutes and perfect for eating on a warm summer evening. Juicy cherry tomatoes cooked with plenty of garlic, stirred through linguine with some lemon juice and fresh basil.

    A bowl of tomato linguine next to a bowl of olives, some bread and some basil leaves.

    This Cherry Tomato Pasta is a great way to use up lots of tomatoes if you have been growing them. There isn't a traditional sauce to this pasta dish, as once the tomatoes burst in the pan and mix with the oil, they create their own sauce. This recipe is so easy, but it really is bursting with flavour.

    Jump to:
    • Why should you try it?
    • What you will need
    • Step by step
    • Health benefits of tomatoes
    • How to adapt it
    • What to serve it with
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More tomato recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why should you try it?

    • Ready in under 15 minutes
    • A light and fresh pasta dish
    • Easy to adapt
    • A delicious way to use up loads of tomatoes

    What you will need

    • Linguine - You can use any pasta for this recipe, but we like something thin like linguine or spaghetti, as the tomatoes are already pretty chunky and they are the star of this dish. But you could use penne or fusilli instead if that is all you had.
    • Olive oil - This recipe uses a generous glug of olive oil to cook the tomatoes in, and help to make the sauce. So you want to use the best quality that you can afford, as you really will be able to tell the difference.
    • Cherry tomatoes - These are the star of the dish. We have used cherry tomatoes, because they can be cooked whole in the pan and then squashed down to release those beautiful juices. We wouldn't recommend any other tomatoes for this recipe, as they would be too big to cook whole and chopped up they just couldn't be the same. Try to make this when tomatoes are in season, as you will be able to taste the difference. Cherry tomatoes are the best tomatoes to use in winter months though, as they are sweeter.
    • Garlic - This recipe is definitely for garlic lovers and has 5 cloves in it. The more garlic the better we say! You can use less (or more) if you prefer. Fresh is always best, but you could use ready crushed garlic in a jar if you prefer to save a little time.
    • Lemon - This helps to make the sauce for the pasta (along with the tomato juices and oil) and really lightens the whole dish up. We have just used the juice, but you could add some zest too if you like.
    • Parmesan - It's not a pasta dish without cheese, right? Some shaved parmesan finishes this dish off beautifully. If you want to keep it vegetarian, then use a veggie alternative. You could just leave it out and make the whole dish vegan.
    • Basil - Tomatoes and basil are a match made in heaven. Lots of fresh basil sprinkled on top before serving really finishes off the whole dish.
    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

    Step by step

    One:  Cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
    Two: Add the oil to a large pan and once hot, add the tomatoes and garlic and cook on a low heat for 6-8 minutes until the tomatoes have softened. Using a wooden spoon, carefully push the tomatoes down a little so that they burst and the juices create a sauce in the pan.

    Two shot collage of cherry tomatoes and minced garlic cooking in a frying pan.

    Three: Drain the pasta and add it to the pan, with a splash of the pasta water, and then stir in the lemon juice and chopped basil.

    Two shot collage of, cooked cherry tomatoes and linguine in a frying pan, then with chopped herbs added.

    Four: Mix well.

    Linguine and cherry tomatoes mixed together and cooking in a frying pan.

    Five: Top with the cheese and basil and serve.

    Cherry tomatoes and linguine in a bowl topped with parmesan shavings and chopped basil.

    Health benefits of tomatoes

    Because of the tomatoes, this pasta dish is bursting with goodness. Tomatoes, which are mainly a carbohydrate with some fibre, are packed full of vitamins, including beta-carotene (which becomes vitamin A when consumed), vitamins C and E, and some B vitamins and vitamin K. They also contain some calcium and magnesium.

    Tomatoes are also a good source of potassium, which has been shown to be associated with lower risk of stroke and heart disease. Tomatoes also contain a compound called lycopene, which gives them their red colour, which research shows has the potential for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Although raw tomatoes are delicious in salads, research has showed that cooking them can actually increase their nutritional value. Good job there are so many ways to use them in cooking!

    Cherry tomatoes mixed with linguine, chopped basil and shavings of Parmesan.

    How to adapt it

    The great thing about pasta dishes is that they are so easy to adapt. We have kept this simple and let the garlic and tomatoes be the stars of the show. However, there are lots of ways to pack this dish out with vegetables.

    The easiest way it to add vegetables is to stir some pasta in to the pan towards the end of the tomatoes being cooked. You could also do the same with kale.

    The key is to stick with quick cooking vegetables like mushrooms, courgette, aubergine and bell pepper. Root vegetables like carrots will take too long to cook, and the beauty of this dish is how quick it is to cook.

    What to serve it with

    Garlic bread of course! Pasta and garlic bread are such a delicious match. Either buy some ready made, or make your own easy garlic bread by cutting up some French stick and spreading it with a mix of butter, crushed garlic and dried herbs. Then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.

    You could also keep it simple with a big green salad. The key to an epic green salad is to use a variety of greens, like romaine, spinach, kale and rocket. You want leafy greens, but crunch too. Then you need the perfect dressing. Why not try our Lemon Vinaigrette, Honey and Mustard Dressing or Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette.

    A bowl of pasta and tomatoes in front of a bowl of olives and some slices of buttered bread.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you roast the tomatoes instead?

    Yes, you can roast the tomatoes instead and it will give this dish much more of an intense tomato flavour. Check out our Roasted Cherry Tomatoes recipe, as these go so well with pasta.

    Can you use canned cherry tomatoes?

    Yes, you could use canned cherry tomatoes, rather than fresh, however that would make more of a tomato sauce. We prefer fresh tomatoes that have burst to make a sauce.

    Can I prepare it in advance?

    Yes, you could cook the tomatoes in advance and then just reheat them in a pan when your spaghetti is nearly ready later.

    Is cherry tomato pasta vegan?

    Yes, if you leave out the parmesan, or use a vegan alternative, then this is a delicious vegan meal. Vegan dishes don't have to be boring! You can add some vegan protein by stirring in some cooked chickpeas.

    Can you add meat to cherry tomato pasta?

    This dish really doesn't need meat in it. However, if you are serving it up for someone that needs meat in a meal, then you can add some leftover shredded chicken, or even fry some diced chicken breast. It also works well with a grilled salmon fillet.

    How to store cherry tomato pasta?

    If you have leftovers of this dish, then it will store in an air tight container for up to 2 days. To reheat it, add it to a hot pan with a splash of water to loosen it all up.

    Can you freeze cherry tomato pasta?

    We wouldn't recommend freezing this pasta dish, as there isn't much of a sauce to it so it would be a bit dry once defrosted. So, try to make only as much as you need, or can be eaten within 2 days.

    Extra tips

    • For some extra flavour, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the pan just before serving.
    • A sprinkling of freshly cracked black pepper is delicious on this pasta dish.
    • You can serve the tomatoes with any pasta, but we find that linguine is a great base for all those juicy tomatoes.
    • To make this dish vegan, simply leave out the parmesan or use a vegan alternative.
    • Try to make this recipe when tomatoes are in season, as you will be able to taste the difference.
    • You can add a splash of the pasta water to the tomatoes if you want to loosen up the sauce a little. You could then even add a dollop of cream cheese to make it a creamy sauce.

    More tomato recipes

    • Spinach and Sundried Tomato Gnocchi Bake
    • Easy Tomato Baked Risotto
    • Tomato Puff Pastry Tart
    • Tomato Basil Pasta

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    If you’ve tried this cherry tomato pasta, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

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    Recipe

    Cherry Tomato Psta in a blue bowl surrounded by tomatoes and basil leaves.

    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    Pasta recipes don't get much easier than this Cherry Tomato Pasta. Just 7 ingredients and ready in under 15 minutes.
    5 from 16 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Total Time: 14 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 483kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 150 g Linguine
    • 500 g Cherry tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 5 Garlic clove - crushed
    • 1 Lemon - juice only
    • 10 g Fresh basil - chopped, plus extra to serve
    • 30 g Parmesan - shaved or grated (optional)

    Instructions

    • Cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
    • Add the oil to a large pan and once hot, add the tomatoes and garlic and cook on a low heat for 6-8 minutes until the tomatoes have softened.
    • Using a wooden spoon, carefully push the tomatoes down a little so that they burst and the juices create a sauce in the pan.
    • Drain the pasta and add it to the pan, with a splash of the pasta water, and then stir in the lemon juice and chopped basil. Mix well.
    • Serve topped with the cheese and basil.

    Notes

    • For some extra flavour, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the pan just before serving.
    • A sprinkling of freshly cracked black pepper is delicious on this pasta dish.
    • You can serve the tomatoes with any pasta, but we find that linguine is a great base for all those juicy tomatoes.
    • To make this dish vegan, simply leave out the parmesan or use a vegan alternative.
    • Try to make this recipe when tomatoes are in season, as you will be able to taste the difference.
    • You can add a splash of the pasta water to the tomatoes if you want to loosen up the sauce a little. You could then even add a dollop of cream cheese to make it a creamy sauce.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 846mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1616IU | Vitamin C: 89mg | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 3mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon

      May 04, 2021 at 9:00 pm

      5 stars
      This is the perfect easy meal. I love that the tomatoes turn into little flavor bombs when cooked.

      Reply
    2. Jenn Allen

      May 04, 2021 at 8:46 pm

      5 stars
      These simple recipes are my favorite! I love uncomplicated flavors and the fresh ingredients in this dish really shine! My new fav!

      Reply
    3. Jessie

      May 04, 2021 at 8:29 pm

      5 stars
      I have some chicken to make tonight and I think this will pair so great with it!!

      Reply
    4. Jamie

      May 04, 2021 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      I love how simple and easy the ingredient list is! This is my kind of meal and it's perfect for the summer.

      Reply
    5. maryanne

      May 03, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so incredibly delicious AND easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    6. Beth Sachs

      May 03, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      Easy, fast, and oh so tasty! My kids loved this cherry tomato pasta for dinner!

      Reply
    7. Toni

      May 03, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      I loved it! So good and delish! Such a great way to enjoy those cherry potatoes!

      Reply
    8. Nart

      May 03, 2021 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious and easy to make. Unfortunately, cherry tomatoes are quite pricey where I live. I'm gonna try this recipe with grape tomatoes instead!

      Reply
    9. Sue

      May 03, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      I made this last night with some colorful cherry tomatoes and it was a huge hit, thanks for an easy dinner recipe :)

      Reply
    10. Beth

      May 02, 2021 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! My family is going to absolutely love this recipe for dinner tonight! So excited to try this!

      Reply
    11. Andrea

      May 02, 2021 at 7:39 pm

      5 stars
      Such a simple, delicious and comforting bowl of pasta.

      Reply
    12. Lauren

      May 02, 2021 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      Nice to see anything simple pasta dish that isn’t baked feta pasta lol. Great recipe!

      Reply
    13. Tania

      May 02, 2021 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! This looks amazing and so delicious! My hubby and I are going to love this for dinner tonight! So excited to try this

      Reply

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    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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