Tomato and Basil Pesto Pasta: Quick for Busy Weeknights
Simplify your dinner routine with our Tomato and Basil Pesto Pasta recipe, a simple yet delicious dish that’s ready in minutes and bursting with fresh flavors!
In just under 20 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality tomato and basil pesto pasta dish on your table, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time but still crave a wholesome, vegan, home-cooked meal.
Double up this recipe for leftovers or if you need to feed several hungry kids!
What makes this tomato and basil pesto pasta recipe truly exceptional?
Its simplicity and reliance on fresh-high-quality ingredients:
- Tomatoes – go for organic, ripe cherry tomatoes.
- Basil Pesto – homemade is great but if not, go for a store-bought option that is made with olive oil and doesn’t have “natural” or “artificial” flavors. A good vegan option is Bolani Vegan Basil Pesto.
- Pasta – organic, durum wheat pasta with no other ingredients, is a great choice. I highly recommend: Central Market Organic Spaghetti Alla Chitarra Bronze Cut Pasta.
The combination of juicy tomatoes and the rich, herbaceous pesto creates a harmonious blend that is both comforting and invigorating.
Plus, with minimal prep and cooking time, this dish allows you to enjoy a delicious, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
The result is a beautifully simple and flavorful pasta dish that pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread, making it a complete and satisfying dinner option.
3 ways to enjoy this awesome recipe:
- A crowd pleaser : This delicious dish will satisfy a crowd easily and affordably. Simply adjust the recipe according to the amount of people.
- Work lunches : Make this recipe ahead for your work lunches. Add more pesto sauce and a little bit of water to make it saucy again when reheating. Adjust the recipe according to the servings you’ll need.
- Romantic dinner : Pair it with wine and have a romantic homemade dinner for two!
Happy Cooking 🙂
Here’s a short video of this recipe:
Tomato and Basil Pesto Pasta: Quick for Busy Weeknights
Ingredients
- 12 oz. pasta
- 4-6 tbsp. olive oil extra virgin, organic
- 2 pint cherry tomatoes organic
- ½ cup basil pesto sauce
- ¾ cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 leaves basil leaves (garnish) optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, chop the onions and cut the cherry tomatoes in halves.
- Add olive oil to a medium-large pan, and heat for 2 min. in medium heat.
- Add onions to the pan and sauté until transparent.
- Add tomatoes and cook for 2 min. or until tender.
- When pasta is cooked, save some of the pasta water when draining. This water will be used for diluting the pesto sauce.
- Add basil pesto sauce to the pan. Mix well, add some of the pasta water just enough to dilute the pesto and to make it saucy.
- Heat through for about a minute while mixing the pasta. Add more pesto sauce if desired. Add more pasta water if mixture is too thick.
- Serve the tomato and pesto pasta on bowls, garnish with basil leaves, and enjoy!
- Pair it with a salad and/or garlic bread if desired.