Cherry Tomato Basil Angel Hair Pasta is the perfect side dish, or add some protein and serve it for a meal.
This recipe is simple with basic ingredients, but the cherry tomatoes and the fresh basil give this side dish a step up in flavor. It is perfect to serve as a side dish, but there are times when I like to add chicken to it and serve it as a meal.
The recipe is simple to make and takes little time. Even though the recipe is simple to make, the dish has a touch of elegance. Not only is the dish a great comfort food, but the cherry tomatoes give the dish a burst of color.
Helpful Tips
- Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. Wash the tomatoes before adding them to the skillet.
- Use fresh basil for this recipe. If you need to substitute dried basil, it will work, but the outcome of the recipe may be different. Remember that you don’t need as much of the dry basil as you do the fresh basil.
- Use enough salt for the water of the pasta. Too little salt will leave the pasta with not enough flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta. Use the directions on the package, but test for doneness before the time is up.
- Use good-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat the pasta in a skillet. Heat a little olive oil, add the pasta and tomatoes, and toss until the pasta is heated.
Ingredients you will need
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil
- Angel Hair Pasta
- Salt and Pepper
Steps for making pasta with cherry tomatoes
Steps one and two
In a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sautee for 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and tomatoes and continue to saute until the tomatoes start to soften.
Steps four and five
Once the tomatoes are softened, toss the cooked pasta and basil with the tomatoes and onions, season with salt and pepper to taste.
More easy pasta recipes
If you make this cherry tomato basil angel hair pasta, I would love to hear about it! Please leave me a comment and a rating.
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Cherry Tomato Basil Angel Hair Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil divided
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup finely sliced basil
- 1/2 pound angel hair pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and saute until it starts to soften, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and tomatoes, continue to saute until the tomatoes soften and burst, about 4 minutes
- While sauteing the onion, garlic, and tomatoes, cook the angel hair pasta according to the directions on the box.
- Once the vegetables are completed toss in the cooked pasta and basil.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. Wash the tomatoes before adding them to the skillet.
- Use fresh basil for this recipe. If you need to substitute dried basil, it will work, but the outcome of the recipe may be different. Remember that you don’t need as much of the dry basil as you do the fresh basil
- Use enough salt for the water of the pasta. Too little salt will leave the pasta with not enough flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta. Use the directions on the package, but test for doneness before the time is up.
- Use good-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat the pasta in a skillet. Heat a little olive oil, add the pasta and tomatoes, and toss until the pasta is heated.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on August 31, 2016, and it has been updated with new content and pictures on September 11, 2025.
The squirrels always get our tomatoes. Although not usually our cherry tomatoes — we actually had a decent crop of them this year. I make a similar dish, but forget to make it this year! Still time, though — thanks for the reminder!
Simple and delicious…must be particularly fresh since you used the homegrown cherry tomatoes.
Deer, rabbits, etc. ate so many of our plants this year – I was really disappointed! Your pasta dish looks delicious!
I love, love, love tomato basil combo. Yesterday I roasted tomato basil sauce (four hours and oh my yum). Up next, tomato basil crackers. You just cannot go wrong with this classic combo.
So cool that your mom shared with you. She’s a keeper.
Dawn, this angel hair pasta is just a classic…simple and yet so tasty…I love it! Awesome pictures!
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
Oh gosh, I totally know about the garden troubles. We have a fenced yard (and a fenced garden), so no deer troubles…but the rabbits have done a number on our garden. Fortunately, they didn’t touch the tomatoes and basil. I think this combination sounds amazing for a tasty dinner one night this weekend. I love angel hair pasta!
Can you serve the angel hair pasta with cherry tomatoes as a cold dish?
Hi Patty, I have not tried it as a cold dish. I think that it would taste best to serve it hot. Thank you for stopping by.
This is a side dish that is simple to make, and can be served as a side dish, or add some protein to it and serve it as the main dish. Either way it is delicious
Hi, Dawn. They all look delicious. This one in particular really grabs me, and has inspired me a bit. Thanks, I will give it a try. Bonne Appetite!
Thanks Vicki! I hope you like the recipe!