Easy 20-Minute Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
This Easy 20-Minute Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is a delightful and vibrant dish that combines the freshness of sautéed cherry tomatoes with the rich flavor of basil pesto. Perfect for busy weeknights or light summer dinners, it offers a quick, satisfying meal that can be easily tailored to your preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, farfalle, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add halved cherry tomatoes and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with tomatoes and pour in basil pesto. Mix well, adding reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 5mg