Imagine a pasta dish so light, fresh, and bursting with flavor that it transports you straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy with just one bite. This Angel Hair Tomato Basil Toss is not just a recipe—it's a culinary love letter to simple, elegant cooking that can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinner parties, this dish promises to turn even the most ordinary evening into a gourmet experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 3-4 minutes until al dente. Be careful not to overcook, as angel hair pasta can become mushy quickly.
- While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to slightly soften and release their juices.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta completely.
- Drain pasta and immediately transfer to the skillet with tomatoes. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the pasta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Gently toss all ingredients together, ensuring pasta is evenly coated with tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
- Serve immediately in warm pasta bowls, garnishing with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Pasta Perfection: Angel hair pasta cooks incredibly quickly, so watch it like a hawk! The difference between al dente and mushy can be just seconds.
- Garlic Magic: Sauté garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness. Those 30-45 seconds make all the difference in building flavor.
- Tomato Technique: Use ripe, fresh cherry tomatoes for the best burst of sweetness and color. If possible, choose a mix of red and yellow for visual appeal.
- Pasta Water is Liquid Gold: Always reserve some pasta water before draining. Its starchy goodness helps create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Fresh Basil Rule: Add basil at the very end to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities. Torn leaves release more flavor than chopped.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately in warm bowls to keep the pasta at the perfect temperature. A light sprinkle of good quality Parmesan can elevate this dish even further.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 347kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
