Print

Creamy Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

creamy pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy pesto pasta dish with roasted cherry tomatoes that balances brightness and richness for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
  • 2 cups (about 300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss halved cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes until soft and caramelized.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in pesto and heavy cream. Warm gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and becomes silky. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  5. Add roasted cherry tomatoes to the sauce, folding gently to keep tomatoes intact.
  6. Add drained pasta to skillet and toss to coat evenly with sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
  7. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Toss gently or leave cheese as garnish.
  8. Serve immediately warm.

Notes

Do not burn the garlic; cook until golden. Watch tomatoes closely while roasting to avoid mushiness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use low heat when warming pesto with cream to prevent separation. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free pesto.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pesto pasta, cherry tomatoes, easy pasta recipe, homemade pesto, quick dinner, savory pasta, basil pesto, roasted tomatoes

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-pesto-pasta-with-cherry-tomatoes-easy-homemade-recipe-for-savory-meals/