20 Minute Tomato and Basil Angel Hair Pasta Recipe [+ Video]

This 20-minute cherry tomato and basil angel hair pasta recipe comes together so quickly and easily, and will satisfy the whole family, even the kids! Simple, healthy ingredients, and fresh basil are all you need for this easy pasta recipe!

Every time the holidays are over and the new year rolls around, I’m immediately drawn to a simpler way of cooking – lighter, healthier meals, fresh ingredients, fewer ingredients, and just an all-around relaxed attitude. I don’t like anything too fussy or involved, and this 20-minute Cherry Tomato and Basil Angel Hair pasta is the perfect example of what you might find on our dinner table this month.

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Another example of something you might find on our dinner table is our buttermilk pancakes! No, they aren’t lighter or healthier, but they are our favorite breakfast for dinner, and sometimes you just need a family favorite on the table! I digress…back to this simple pasta dish…

Cooking Class in Italy

I’ve been making a version of this sauce ever since I studied abroad in Italy. Toward the end of my trip, my family visited, and my mom and I took a four-day cooking class in Positano, a small town on the Amalfi Coast. We learned the fundamentals of Italian cooking, like how to make fresh pasta by hand, the perfect Margherita pizza, and a simple but incredible tomato sauce using just a few ingredients: cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic.

I still remember closing my eyes with that first bite, wondering if I’d ever be able to recreate something that tasted so good back home.

Less Than 30 Minute Dinner Recipe

Since then, I’ve made a bazillion different variations, all equally as delicious as they were in Italy. I’ve used it as a topping on fish or grilled chicken, slathered it on garlic-rubbed crostinis, and tossed it with scrambled eggs, but I think today’s version may be my favorite adaptation yet. Not only because it’s simple and delicious, but because the cooking time from start to finish is less than 30 minutes – pure gold in my book.

Ingredients for Tomato Basil Angel Hair Pasta

You will only need 8 simple ingredients to make this easy angel hair pasta recipe! A whole meal with just 8 ingredients in less than half an hour…you can’t get much better than that! Here is what you will need:

• Angel Hair Pasta: It cooks up quickly and soaks up the flavor of the tomatoes and garlic
• Olive Oil: used to sauté the tomatoes and garlic, extra virgin olive oil is preferred for the best flavor
• Garlic: adds bold, delicious flavor
• Cherry Tomatoes: or grape tomatoes
• Fresh Basil: adds bright, fresh flavor. If you don’t have fresh basil, use 2 teaspoons of dried basil
• Salt: adds flavor
• Granulated Parmesan: adds depth of flavor
• Lemon: a pop of citrus rounds out the dish perfectly

All the measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Cherry Tomato and Basil Angel Hair Pasta

Bright, fresh, and irresistibly simple! This Tomato Basil Angel Hair Pasta is what weeknight dinner dreams are made of. With just a handful of ingredients and a few quick steps, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish on the table in under 30 minutes.

1. Boil: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop.
2. Cook: Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. It cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
3. Prepare: While the pasta is cooking, begin making the sauce.
4. Sauté: Thinly slice a generous amount of garlic and let it bathe in hot (but not smoking) olive oil in a skillet.
5. Blister: Add two pounds of cherry or grape tomatoes to the garlic oil.
6. Crank: Turn up the heat and let the tomatoes blister and burst as they cook in the oil, releasing their juices and flavor into the sauce.
7. Top: Finish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

The instructions can be found in more detail in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Simple Tomato Sauce

I like to help the process along a little bit by adding a ladle full of starchy pasta water and a good amount of kosher salt. The sauce simmers for a few minutes, and then slightly undercooked angel hair is tossed with the burst tomatoes. Since the cooked pasta is just slightly underdone, it finishes cooking in the sauce, infusing SO much flavor into each strand of pasta.

Once everything is melded together, I toss in a good handful of parmesan cheese, about a cup of fresh basil, and more pasta water if need be.

• Pro Tip: For the best flavor and texture, skip the pre-grated Parmesan. Instead, pulse a chunk of Parmesan in a blender or food processor until finely ground. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!

Simple. Fresh. And seriously delicious.

What is the Difference Between Cherry and Grape Tomatoes

I used to think all small red tomatoes were cherry tomatoes, until I noticed some were more oval and tasted a bit different. Turns out, those are grape tomatoes, and they’ve become my favorite.

Grape tomatoes are smaller and more oblong than cherry tomatoes, with thicker skins and a meatier texture. They’re less sweet but have great flavor and less water content, which means more tomato and less mess.

What is the Difference Between Angel Hair Pasta and Spaghetti?

Angel hair is thinner, more delicate, and cooks faster, making it ideal for lighter sauces. Spaghetti is thicker and holds up better to hearty, chunky sauces.

How Much Angel Hair Noodles Per Person

A good rule of thumb is 2 ounces of dry angel hair pasta per person. If your package is 16 ounces, just divide it into 8 portions. But if you’re like me and store pasta in containers, measuring can get tricky.

I grew up learning the finger method for measuring pasta, which I think works pretty well. You can watch how to measure dry pasta with this video.

Variations for this Tomato Basil Angel Hair Pasta Recipe

This recipe is vegetarian as written, but it’s easy to make it heartier with added protein or extra vegetables. Here are a few ideas to try:

Add Protein:

• Grilled Chicken: Slice and toss in for extra heartiness.
• Shrimp: Sauté separately and add just before serving.
• Italian Sausage: Brown and crumble into the sauce for a savory twist.

Enhance the Sauce:

• Red Pepper Flakes: Add a pinch for a subtle kick.
• Lemon Zest or Juice: Brightens up the flavors.
• Parmesan or Pecorino Romano: Sprinkle on top for added richness.
• Add a Splash of Cream: Stir in a bit of heavy cream for a richer sauce.
• Top with Burrata or Fresh Mozzarella: Adds a creamy, indulgent finish.

Add Fresh Veggies or Herbs:

• Spinach or Arugula: Stir in just before serving for a fresh touch.
• Zucchini: Adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor and extra texture.
• Bell Peppers: Sauté with the tomatoes for extra texture.
• Mushrooms: They bring a savory, umami depth to the sauce.
• Oregano, Thyme, or Parsley: For a different herbal note.

Storage Tips

Leftovers of this recipe store extremely well in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 5 days.

I actually like eating the leftovers cold, but they can definitely be zapped in the microwave to warm them back up.

If you’re looking to add to your options for weeknight dinners, try this easy angel hair pasta recipe! It is loaded with cherry tomatoes bursting with flavor, fresh basil leaves, and garlic, all topped with parmesan cheese. It’s simple and on the table in less than 30 minutes!

More Easy Pasta Recipes to Try

• Cream of Mushroom Pasta
• Spicy Queso Pasta Primavera
• Easy Beef Ragu and Pasta
• Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
• One-Pot Lasagna Pasta
• 20 Minute Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Garlic Lemon Butter Pasta
• Bolognese Recipe

Watch How This Pasta Recipe is Made…

4.35 from 58 votes

Tomato and Basil Pasta

By Carrian Cheney

Cook20 minutes mins

Total20 minutes mins

Servings4

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This cherry tomato and basil angel comes together in under 20 minutes, making for a a delicious and super easy meal for your family!

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1/2 Pound Angel Hair Pasta
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• ▢ 5 Large Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced
• ▢ 2 Pounds Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
• ▢ 1 Cup Basil, loosely packed, roughly chopped
• ▢ 3/4 teaspoon Salt, plus more for seasoning
• ▢ 1/2 Cup Granulated Parmesan, plus more for garnish, see note
• ▢ 1/2 Lemon

US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
• Add in a good handful of salt. Add pasta. Cook al dente or until pasta is slightly undercooked.
  1/2 Pound Angel Hair Pasta
• Using tongs remove pasta from water into a colander. Reserve cooking liquid.
• While pasta is cooking, add garlic and olive oil to a very large skillet and stir to keep from sticking.
  5 Large Garlic Cloves, 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Turn the medium heat and cook until garlic becomes soft, about two minutes.
• Turn the heat to a medium-high and add tomatoes and salt to the pan. Cook two minutes.
  2 Pounds Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon Salt
• Add 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid leftover from pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer for five minutes — the tomatoes should be starting to burst. If they haven’t gently push on them using the back of a wooden spoon. You only want about half to burst.
• Add pasta, cook another two minutes.
• Turn the heat off, add basil and parmesan cheese.
  1 Cup Basil, 1/2 Cup Granulated Parmesan
• Toss to coat.
• If needed add more starchy pasta water.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
  1/2 Lemon
• Serve with extra grated parmesan cheese.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tip: For the best flavor and texture, skip the pre-grated Parmesan. Instead, pulse a chunk of Parmesan in a blender or food processor until finely ground. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!

Pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 373kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 684mg, Potassium: 678mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1534IU, Vitamin C: 55mg, Calcium: 166mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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