Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta is fresh, simple, and full of summer flavor. Ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic soak in olive oil, creating a light, fragrant sauce that coats tender pasta. It’s quick to make, requires minimal cooking, and works for both weeknights and casual gatherings. You can use garden-fresh or store-bought produce and still get a dish that feels gourmet.
Why You’ll Love This Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta
This pasta is fresh, easy, and versatile. The marinated tomatoes keep their natural sweetness, basil adds fragrance, and olive oil ties it all together. It’s ready in under an hour, adaptable with proteins or extra veggies, and loved by both picky eaters and food lovers. Serve it warm or at room temp — it always delivers bright, summery flavor.
What You’ll Need
- Pasta – 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
- Cherry tomatoes – 4 pints, halved
- Fresh basil – ½ cup, chopped
- Garlic – 6 cloves, minced
- Extra-virgin olive oil – ½ cup
- Crushed red pepper flakes – ½ teaspoon (optional)
- Kosher salt & black pepper – to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan – 1 cup for serving
How to Make Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta
- Prep tomatoes – In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30–40 minutes to marinate.
- Cook pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Drain.
- Combine – Toss hot pasta with the marinated tomato mixture, adding reserved water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve – Top with Parmesan and extra basil. Serve warm or at room temp.
You Must Know
This recipe’s magic comes from letting the tomatoes marinate — it builds a naturally sweet, garlicky sauce without cooking. Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for the best flavor. Salt your pasta water generously; it’s your first chance to season the dish. Always reserve a little pasta water — its starch helps bind the sauce to the noodles. Lastly, good-quality olive oil makes a big difference here.
Perfecting the Cooking Process
For the best results, let the tomato mixture rest at least 30 minutes so the flavors fully develop. Cook the pasta to just al dente so it absorbs the sauce without getting mushy. If you like extra heat, add more red pepper flakes while the tomatoes marinate. Toss the pasta and tomatoes gently to keep their texture intact. Finish with Parmesan right before serving so it melts perfectly into the dish.
Add Your Touch Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta
Make this pasta your own by adding grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers. For extra creaminess, stir in fresh mozzarella pearls or ricotta right before serving. Swap spaghetti for penne or farfalle if you prefer shorter pasta. You can also mix in fresh spinach or arugula for a peppery kick.
Storing & Reheating
Cozy up with more hearty casserole recipes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of olive oil or reserved pasta water. This pasta is also delicious cold, making it a perfect next-day lunch or picnic dish. Avoid microwaving too long, as it can overcook the pasta and dull the fresh flavors.
Chef’s Helpful Tips for Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta
Warm up with more cozy soup and stew ideas
- Use the freshest tomatoes you can find for the best flavor.
- Let the tomato mixture marinate — it’s the secret to the sauce.
- Always salt pasta water generously before boiling.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Add Parmesan just before serving for maximum creaminess.
FAQ for Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta
Find your next favorite pasta dish in this list
Can I make this ahead? Yes, marinate the tomatoes earlier in the day and cook pasta just before serving.
What pasta works best? Long shapes like spaghetti or linguine absorb the sauce beautifully.
Is it good cold? Absolutely — it’s a great make-ahead lunch or picnic option.
Can I freeze it? Not recommended; fresh tomatoes lose their texture when frozen.
Conclusion
Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is the ultimate summer dish — fresh, easy, and full of seasonal flavor. With ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a simple olive oil base, it’s a recipe you’ll return to all season long. Perfect for weeknights, gatherings, or next-day lunches, this pasta captures summer in every bite.
How to Make Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta: A Vibrant Delight Recipe
Description
Bright, fresh, and effortless, Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is a delightful dish bursting with ripe cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic, and olive oil. Perfect for warm weather, it combines simple ingredients to create a light yet satisfying meal you’ll love all summer long.
Ingredients
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to marinate.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
Toss the hot pasta with the marinated tomato mixture, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan and extra basil if desired.
Notes
- Use the freshest, ripest cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
Reserving pasta water is key to creating a smooth sauce.
Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit if you prefer mild flavors.
This dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for summer gatherings.