Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
For the Pesto Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne, rotini, or farfalle
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup prepared pesto
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and burst slightly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Once the pasta is drained, add it directly to the skillet with the cherry tomatoes. Add the prepared pesto and the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Divide the pesto pasta among four plates. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
For the Pesto Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne, rotini, or farfalle
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup prepared pesto
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and burst slightly.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Once the pasta is drained, add it directly to the skillet with the cherry tomatoes. Add the prepared pesto and the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Divide the pesto pasta among four plates. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min