Easy • Pasta
Weeknight Pesto Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes
A bright and flavorful pasta dish featuring al dente noodles, bursting blistered tomatoes, and fragrant pesto for a super fast dinner.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Easy
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When you need a quick, vibrant dinner that tastes like a summer escape, this Weeknight Pesto Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes is your go-to! It's incredibly simple, letting fresh ingredients shine: juicy tomatoes cooked until they burst, tossed with al dente pasta and aromatic pesto. Perfect for those nights when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort!
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, farfalle)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until they begin to soften and burst.
Step 3
Add minced garlic to the skillet with the tomatoes and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the tomatoes and garlic. Add the pesto and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss well to combine.
Step 5
If the pasta seems a little dry, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 6
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Tips
- Don't skip the reserved pasta water! It's starchy magic that helps the sauce cling to the pasta beautifully.
- For a protein boost, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans to the pasta at the end.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can really brighten up the flavors.
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