If you’re looking for a dish that truly captures the vibrant flavors of the season, you can’t go wrong with the Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad. It’s a colorful, crowd-pleasing classic made with sun-sweet cherry tomatoes, aromatic garlic and basil, and the most delicate shower of parmesan. Every forkful is a glorious blend of summer’s finest—fresh, zesty, and somehow both luxurious and effortless at the same time. This is one recipe you’ll want to put on repeat all summer long!

Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad are refreshingly simple but absolutely essential. Each one plays a starring role, from the juicy tomatoes to the fresh basil, ensuring your salad is bursting with garden-fresh taste and gorgeous summery color.

Extra virgin olive oil: Use the best quality you can find; its rich, peppery flavor makes all the difference in the marinade.
Fresh garlic, minced: This gives the salad its characteristic punch and fragrance—don’t skimp!
Basil leaves, julienned + extra for garnish: Fresh basil is a must for its sweet, peppery notes and vibrant green color.
Red pepper flakes, crushed: They add a gentle heat that underscores the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Cherry tomatoes, halved: Sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes bring color and a burst of flavor to every bite.
Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors into perfect balance.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a bit of earthiness and subtle heat to the mix.
Dried angel hair pasta: Its delicate texture perfectly absorbs the flavorful marinade.
Grated parmesan + extra for serving: Nutty, savory Parmesan lends creaminess and depth—be liberal!

How to Make Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad

Step 1: Marinate the Cherry Tomatoes

Start by slicing your cherry tomatoes in half, then place them in a big salad bowl. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, julienned basil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Give everything a gentle stir so the flavors start to meld together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature—from a few minutes to up to 4 hours. The longer you wait, the more luscious and aromatic that marinade becomes.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

A few minutes before you’re ready to serve, bring a large pot of generously salted water (about 2 tablespoons of salt) to a boil. Cook the angel hair pasta until it’s al dente—just soft enough to be tender, but still with a little bite. Angel hair cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it!

Step 3: Combine Pasta & Marinade

Once your pasta is perfectly cooked, drain it, and immediately pour it over your marinated tomatoes while it’s still steaming hot. The warmth of the pasta intensifies the flavors and helps everything meld together beautifully. Toss everything gently so every strand is coated with those garden-fresh juices.

Step 4: Add Parmesan and Toss

Next, add in your 1½ cups of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss again—the cheese melts slightly and mingles with the marinade, creating a silky, savory sauce that clings to every bite. If you like, now’s the time to sprinkle over some extra basil for a pop of color and aroma.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

The final flourish for this Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a handful of fresh basil leaves and a dusting of extra Parmesan. Gently toss one more time to combine, and you’re ready to serve up a bowl of summertime magic.

How to Serve Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad

Garnishes

To make your salad truly swoon-worthy, finish with additional julienned basil and an extra shower of grated Parmesan right before serving. These fresh garnishes pop against the rainbow of tomatoes and give off an irresistible fragrance everyone will notice.

Side Dishes

This pasta salad is wonderful on its own, but it pairs gorgeously with simple grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or even a platter of roasted vegetables. For a picnic vibe, try serving it alongside a basket of crusty bread and a plate of fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try plating the Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad in individual glass jars for a picnic, or pile it high on a pretty serving platter and decorate with whole basil leaves and colorful edible flowers. Even a sprinkle of microgreens or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can make your presentation sing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover pasta salad (lucky you!), simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to deepen as it sits, so you might even find it tastes better the next day!

Freezing

Because of the fresh tomatoes and basil, freezing isn’t recommended for Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad. The textures will suffer and the herbs can go limp once thawed. It’s best enjoyed freshly made or refrigerated for just a few days.

Reheating

This salad shines at room temperature or slightly chilled, but if you prefer, you can let it sit out for 20-30 minutes before serving, or briefly warm it in the microwave at low power. Be careful not to overheat, as you don’t want to lose the freshness of the basil or tomatoes.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While angel hair is classic and soaks up the marinade beautifully, you can swap in spaghetti, linguine, or even a short pasta like fusilli if you’d like more texture.

Is there a way to make Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta. Just keep in mind that gluten-free varieties sometimes cook faster, so check for doneness a little early.

How can I amp up the protein in this salad?

For extra protein, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or white beans directly to the salad, or serve them on the side. Even sliced fresh mozzarella or burrata can be delicious!

What’s the best way to julienne basil?

Stack the basil leaves, roll them up tightly, then slice across with a sharp knife to create beautiful green ribbons that are perfect for tossing into and garnishing the salad.

Can I make Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! You can marinate the tomatoes up to 4 hours in advance and cook the pasta in advance as well. Toss everything together shortly before serving to ensure the freshest flavor and best texture.

Final Thoughts

I hope you fall in love with Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad just as much as I have. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll reach for time and again, bringing a taste of sunshine to your kitchen whenever you crave it. Give it a try—the colors, aromas, and flavors are pure summer on a plate!

Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 11 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a delightful and fresh dish perfect for warm weather. Bursting with the flavors of cherry tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese, this pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser for any summer gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Cherry Tomatoes Marinade:

900 g cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for garnish
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Pasta Salad:

454 g dried angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Instructions

For the Cherry Tomatoes Marinade
Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature to meld flavors.
For the Pasta Salad
Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and mix with cherry tomato marinade. Toss in Parmesan cheese. Garnish with basil leaves.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad, Pasta
Method: Marinating, Boiling, Tossing
Cuisine: Italian