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Lemony Cherry Tomato Pasta

A bright and summery pasta dish featuring jammy tomatoes and a punch of lemon that comes together in just twenty minutes.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 14, 2026
Lemony Cherry Tomato Pasta
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
4

This pasta is my absolute favorite quick meal for busy summer evenings. The cherry tomatoes cook down right in the pan until they become sweet and jammy, creating a light sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly.

My top tip is to save a little bit of the pasta water before draining your noodles. Adding that starchy water to your sauce helps everything come together and creates a lovely silky texture that really pulls the dish together.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.

  2. 2

    While the water heats up, add the olive oil and sliced garlic to a large skillet over medium heat.

  3. 3

    Once the garlic is fragrant, add the cherry tomatoes and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan.

  4. 4

    Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until they burst and release their juices to form a sauce.

  5. 5

    Drain the pasta but keep about a half cup of the cooking water aside.

  6. 6

    Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the tomatoes.

  7. 7

    Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and a splash of the reserved pasta water.

  8. 8

    Turn off the heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper before serving with fresh basil.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, add a small splash of water to loosen up the sauce. This dish is best served with a fresh green side salad to round out the meal.

#Vegetarian#Pasta#Quick Dinner#Summer Recipe

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