Description

Ina Garten’s Classic Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for warm weather. Featuring fresh cherry tomatoes roasted with garlic and basil, combined with al dente penne pasta and a generous amount of grated parmesan, this salad brings together rich Mediterranean flavors in a simple yet elegant way. It’s an ideal recipe for picnics, potlucks, or casual family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Mixture

4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved through the stem
0.75 cup olive oil (preferably Colavita Extra Virgin)
8 garlic cloves, sliced paper-thin
18 fresh basil leaves
0.75 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
0.5 tsp lemon zest

Pasta Salad

1 lb pasta (De Cecco Penne Rigate recommended)
1.75 cups parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Prepare the Tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, sliced garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Roast the Tomatoes: Spread the tomato mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a rimmed baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 3 to 4 hours until the tomatoes are soft and their flavors are concentrated, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes depending on package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it for the salad.
Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, mix the roasted tomato mixture with the cooked pasta. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss well to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature as a refreshing summer dish.

Notes

Use ripe, fresh cherry tomatoes for the best flavor in the roasted tomato mixture.
Roasting at a low temperature concentrates flavors and softens the garlic without burning it.
Freshly grated parmesan enhances the taste and texture compared to pre-grated options.
This pasta salad can be made a day ahead; flavors improve after chilling overnight.
For a vegan option, substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese alternative.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Salad
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Ina Garten pasta salad, summer pasta salad, cherry tomato pasta, roasted tomato salad, garden pasta salad, summer recipe