Angel hair pasta with tomatoes (is a really easy and quick Italian pasta recipe that you can have on the table in under 30 minutes and it tastes so delicious. The herbs in this pasta with fresh tomatoes recipe are all dried making this an easy recipe almost anyone can make in a pinch.
Why You Will Love This Easy Italian Dinner!
This angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes is made with many things that you probably already have on hand in your kitchen. In our house this is our version of fast food because in the time it takes to boil the pasta, the tomatoes will be perfectly cooked and ready to add to the pasta once it is drained.
I love to serve this as a stand alone pasta dish or as a side to Italian baked sausage , Lemon garlic shrimp, Italian fried eggplant or garlic ciabatta bread for a complete Italian feast.
If you have 20 minutes, you can make this dish. This pasta recipe and our pasta piselli e pancetta (pasta with peas and pancetta) are our quick go to meals for those busy evenings.
This is also one of our got to meals in the summer when tomatoes are in season. We grow lots of tomatoes in our garden so this fresh tomato sauce recipe and our Italian chickpea salad are on constant rotation.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Angel hair pasta: Try to look for a good quality Italian brand for this recipe. The pasta water from cooking the pasta will make a higher quality sauce.
- Cherry tomatoes (you can also use fresh baby San Marzano tomatoes like I did here or grape tomatoes)
- Garlic (Fresh)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Dried thyme and dried oregano: For the herbs used in this dish, I used all dried herbs because this is a quick meal and intended to make use of what is already in the pantry.
- Kosher salt
- Parmesan for topping (good quality!)
How to Make Angel Hair Pasta With Tomatoes
- Make the fresh tomato sauce: Add olive oil, red pepper flakes, tomatoes and garlic to the pan and simmer gently until the tomatoes soften.
- Add herbs: Add the herbs and cook for a few minutes.
- Cook Pasta: I like to cook the pasta just a little before al dente according to the manufacturers instructions.
- Assemble: Toss the angel hair pasta together with the olive oil and tomato sauce. Add pasta water if the pasta drinks up the sauce.
Tips For Perfectly Cooked Angel Hair Pasta With Tomatoes
- Prepare tomatoes ahead of time for an even easier meal: If you want to prepare a little more ahead of time with this recipe, you can slice up your tomatoes the day before and store them in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.
- Cooking with Angel Hair Pasta: If you are nervous about cooking angel hair pasta, we have an entire post on how to cook angel hair pasta that will put you at ease 🙂
Storing
f you have leftovers, this angel hair pasta recipe re-heats well. To store it, allow it to cool then place the pasta in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat the pasta, place an individual serving in a bowl and place a moist (but not dripping) paper towel over the pasta. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until it is heated all the way through.
Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes and Herbs
Ingredients
- 1 lb Angel hair pasta
- 16 ounces cherry tomatoes cut in halves. you can also use grape tomatoes or fresh baby tomatoes of any variety.
- ½ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan for serving
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 clove garlic minced
- ⅛ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt Plus more to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat add your olive oil.
- Now add your red pepper flakes, dried thyme and dried oregano and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium low and add your garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add your tomatoes and stir to coat them in the olive oil and herbs and cook for a few more minutes.
- Once your pasta water is boiling, add your pasta and cook for one minute less than the manufacturers instructions for al dente, about 1-2 minutes.
- When the pasta is ready, scoop out one cup of your pasta water then drain your pasta.
- Add your pasta to the pan with the tomatoes and herbs and toss well.
- Add half of your reserved pasta water and toss well.
- Allow the pasta to soak up the juices for about one minute.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a little more pasta water and toss again.
- Remove the pan from the stove and serve immediately with fresh grated parmesan.
Tayler says
I made this pasta for dinner last night and it was delicious! My family loved it, so I'll definitely be making again.
kisitalian says
I am so glad to hear everyone enjoyed it Tayler! It is one of my family's favorites too 🙂
Liz says
This feels like the perfect summer recipe! Great way to make the most of tomato season!
kisitalian says
Agree! So many fresh tomatoes in my garden and this is one of my favorite ways to use them 🙂
Angela says
This sounds and looks so good. I love the combination of herbs you used, especially the red pepper flakes as I love adding them to pasta! Can't wait to try this recipe on the weekend. Thanks!
kisitalian says
The herbs and red pepper flakes are my favorite part of the recipe too (next to the tomatoes of course!). I hope you enjoy it this weekend.