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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

    Published: Mar 27, 2018 · Modified: May 12, 2020 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 48 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes is super quick and easy to make, ideal for lighter lunch or dinner. Ready in just 15 minutes, and packed with fresh, healthy ingredients!

    Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes #veganrecipe #dairyfree #healthyrecipe | via @annabanana.co

    Happy Tuesday!

    Easter is only few days away (I know, I can't believe it either!), and before we all indulge on chocolate eggs, I'm popping over here with this healthy pesto pasta recipe!

    Super easy pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes. Perfect quick lunch or dinner, ready in 15 minutes! #dairyfree #veganfood #healthyfood | via @annabanana.co

    After my last week's easy 5-minute vegan pesto recipe, I thought it's only fair to post this pesto pasta to go with it. And because it's Spring, and because we all are beginning to crave fresh, lighter, more vibrant foods!

    It's not a secret that pasta is one of my favourite foods, and I'm pretty sure, that this will be the case with quiet few of you my lovely readers, am I right? Because pasta is just the best, it's easy, and it does the trick every time you are hungry and in need of a quick meal. Plus it's cheap, cheerful and delicious! What's not to like?!?

    Super quick and easy pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes #vegan #healthyrecipe #veganfood | via @annabanana.co

    Pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes, ready in just 15 minutes! Easy and healthy lunch or dinner #vegan #veganrecipe #foodphotography | via @annabanana.co

    Pesto pasta, in my opinion, is pretty good to be eaten on it's own. But cherry tomatoes go so well with it, and they add such a lovely splash of vibrant colours to this dish, which is much needed after miserable winter months...

    You can also serve this pasta dish hot or cold, and it will be great if you are doing any meal prepping, as it can be made ahead of time. Perfect for a packed lunch to work, or for a spring picnic with the family!

    Make sure to reserve some of that pasta cooking liquid (aka cooking gold) for later, as it will create this velvety, silky-smooth finish to your dish. In fact, I always reserve some of that starchy water, whenever I'm making a pasta based dish, because it just helps to bind and thicken the sauce. So make sure you don't just pour it all down the drain!

    This pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes is one of the easiest and quickest recipes you will find on this blog, and I really hope you will like it as much as I do!

    And before I forget- have a great Easter holidays (we are off to Ireland for few days- YAYYYY!), whatever you are up to! Talk soon!

    A.

    Pesto pasta with juicy cherry tomatoes! Ready in 15 minutes! #veganrecipe #dairyfree #healthyrecipe | via @annabanana.co

    And before I forget- have a great Easter holidays (we are off to Ireland for few days- YAYYYY!)!!!

    Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes #veganrecipe #dairyfree #healthyrecipe | via @annabanana.co
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.79 from 23 votes

    Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

    Easy, quick and healthy pesto pasta with juicy cherry tomatoes. Can be served hot or cold, perfect for meal prepping! 
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 560kcal
    Author: Anna

    Ingredients

    • 250 g whole grain spaghetti
    • 250 g ripe cherry tomatoes (halved)
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 small garlic clove (finely chopped)
    • 4 tablespoon easy vegan pesto (see recipe notes)
    • 2 tablespoon toasted pine nuts (optional)

    salt and pepper to taste

      fresh basil leaves to decorate

        Prevent your screen from going dark

        Instructions

        • Toss the tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and set aside.
        • Cook your pasta according to packet instructions or until al dente, drain, reserving about 100 ml of cooking liquid.
        • Return cooked pasta to the pot, add pesto and cherry tomatoes, as well as some of the reserved cooking liquid, toss it all together over the medium heat until piping hot.
        • Top with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!

        Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for a more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.

        Notes

        For easy vegan pesto please see this recipe

        Nutrition

        Calories: 560kcal
        Did you make this?Tell me how you like it? Leave a comment or take a picture and tag @anna_wierzbinska on Instagram. I love seeing your take on my recipes!
        Pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes. Quick and easy idea for lunch or dinner, ready in 15 minutes! #veganrecipe #healthyrecipe #pasta | via @annabanana.co

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        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Debbey

          April 09, 2018 at 3:16 pm

          5 stars
          Love the addition of the different colored cherry tomatoes! Makes the dish look super pretty! And also love a good pesto and yours looks delish!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 10, 2018 at 6:07 pm

            thanks so much Debbey!
            I'm so happy to hear you like the recipe, and I really hope you will get to try the pesto, it's really worth it!

            Reply
        2. Tatiana

          April 09, 2018 at 5:50 am

          5 stars
          Beautiful and healthy combo of pesto and fresh cherry tomatoes! In my house we call it a perfect meal

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:10 pm

            Awww thanks Tatiana!
            Glad you like the recipe! And that is a perfect name for it! 😉

            Reply
        3. Sara

          April 09, 2018 at 3:59 am

          This looks really yummy! I can't wait to try your recipe!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:10 pm

            Thanks Sara. Let me know if you try it!

            Reply
        4. Amanda

          April 08, 2018 at 10:25 pm

          5 stars
          This pasta recipe is making me SO excited that summer and prime tomato season are right around the corner! I can see myself eating this all summer long. So bright and fresh, and light, yet satisfying!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:09 pm

            Totally! Bring on all the summer al fresco dining and fresh produce of the new season! Can't wait too!

            Reply
        5. Jessica Pinney

          April 08, 2018 at 10:22 pm

          5 stars
          My tomato bushes are just starting to bloom and this looks like a wonderful dish to utilize the first harvest. Thanks for sharing!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:08 pm

            Yayyy! That's so great to hear Jessica, I hope your first harvest will bring you many delicious tomatoes!
            And thanks so much!

            Reply
        6. Anne Murphy

          April 08, 2018 at 9:14 pm

          5 stars
          So simple, so basic - so good... I like the addition of the cherry tomatoes - you're right, the splash of color and tangy sweetness add so much!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:07 pm

            thanks Anne, I'm so glad to read that you like this recipe! Cherry tomatoes are just bursting with flavour, I can eat them like raisins! 🙂

            Reply
        7. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

          April 07, 2018 at 9:30 pm

          5 stars
          Great tips!! And some of the simplest recipes are the greatest. I've made this recipe many times. We love the small tomatoes - they're a welcome addition to most recipes. This recipe is so light and fresh and yet so satisfying. The photos just make me want to dig in.

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:06 pm

            Hey Marisa, and thanks so much!
            I'm so pleased to hear you have made this recipe many times! And couldn't agree more, simple dishes are often the tastiest ones!

            Reply
        8. Patti @ Patty Cake's Pantry

          April 07, 2018 at 7:36 pm

          5 stars
          This is such a light and delicious pasta dish. You mentioned the cherry tomatoes. Have you ever made a sauce by blending cherry tomatoes and then heating them on the stove? It's so simple and delicious, and the combination of flavor possibilities is endless. I could even add a little of your vegan pesto to my next batch. Delicious!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:04 pm

            Hey Patti!
            Thanks so much for kind words! And I must admit, I've not tried to make cherry tomato sauce that way, but I'm so curious now, I think I will give it a go!

            Reply
        9. Ela

          April 07, 2018 at 2:38 pm

          5 stars
          Your pesto pasta looks amazing, Anna!! I am getting hungry 😀

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:03 pm

            hah, Ela, thanks so much for stopping by!
            And you're welcome! I ALWAYS get hungry when seeing your recipes! 🙂

            Reply
        10. Jen

          April 07, 2018 at 2:20 am

          5 stars
          This is such a perfect Spring recipe. I love the tomatoes. Beautiful pictures and beautiful recipe. Thanks for sharing.

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:02 pm

            thank you so much Jen!
            I'm so chuffed to hear you like the recipe and my pictures! Hope you will get to try it some time soon!

            Reply
        11. Linda from Veganosity

          April 06, 2018 at 10:26 pm

          Pasta is my favorite too, especially with a fresh and flavorful pesto! This looks amazing!!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:01 pm

            Aww thanks so much Linda!
            Simple dishes like this are the best ones! And fresh pesto is just perfect condiment to have in the kitchen!

            Reply
        12. dixya @food, pleasure, and health

          April 06, 2018 at 9:04 pm

          love your photography...this is such a Summer friendly pasta dish.

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 1:00 pm

            Hi Dixya, and thanks so much, that's so kind of you!
            Happy to hear you like the recipe for this pesto pasta!

            Reply
        13. Kat Jeter

          April 06, 2018 at 3:43 pm

          5 stars
          What a beautiful dish I love how light and fresh it is. Tomatoes and basil grow like crazy in my garden in the summer so I can't wait to make this.

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 09, 2018 at 12:59 pm

            Thanks Kat, so happy you like it! And if you ever find yourself with too many tomatoes or basil, send them my way, would ya? 😉 Hope you will enjoy this one!

            Reply
        14. Jasmin / VeeatCookBake

          April 05, 2018 at 10:40 pm

          5 stars
          Pesto Pasta is one of the best pasta meals. 🙂

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:39 pm

            it sure is Jasmin! can't go wrong with it, and it works every time!

            Reply
        15. Jenn

          April 05, 2018 at 9:35 pm

          I love pesto! Can't wait until my garden gets going and I have all the fresh herbs and tomatoes!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:40 pm

            Lucky you! I would love to have my own garden to grow veggies in! I hope you will get to try it, and thanks so much!

            Reply
        16. Dominique | Perchance to Cook

          April 05, 2018 at 4:25 pm

          I love the idea to use raw cherry tomatoes here. The fresh tomatoes against the warm pasta with pesto sauce sounds so delightful. I want a big bowl!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:42 pm

            Thanks so much Dominique!
            You deserve a massive bowl of this deliciousness! And I do prefer raw tomatoes, although both versions will work great with the recipe!

            Reply
        17. Rachel

          April 05, 2018 at 4:36 am

          5 stars
          I agree that it's so important to save some of the pasta water. It can really make a pasta dish! This one looks so fresh and vibrant and your photos are beautiful. Sometimes the simplest meals are the best ones!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:44 pm

            That's so great to hear Rachel!
            I always cry a bit inside, when I see someone is pouring all that water straight to the drain! It gives such a wonderful finish to pasta! Glad you like it too!

            Reply
        18. Nicole Dawson

          April 04, 2018 at 7:24 pm

          I love the simplicity of pesto and tomatoes on pasta. YUM

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:44 pm

            thanks Nicole! Sometimes simple things are just best in life, right?

            Reply
        19. Michelle

          April 04, 2018 at 6:03 pm

          5 stars
          This pesto pasta is so colorful and healthy. I love the mix of yellow and red tomatoes you used. I grow those in my garden every summer. I'll definitely be making this recipe! Yum.

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:45 pm

            Aww thanks so much Michelle! And you are so lucky to grow your own, it's a dream of mine to have my own garden one day and do the same! I really hope you will like the recipe, and let me know if you try it!

            Reply
        20. Leslie

          April 04, 2018 at 2:23 pm

          5 stars
          Mmmm. I love pasta with fresh tomatoes. It's so light and fresh. Perfect for the summer months coming up! Yum!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 06, 2018 at 12:46 pm

            yes! Definitely a great option for the summer BBQ's and picnics in the park! Thanks so much Leslie!

            Reply
        21. Danielle

          April 04, 2018 at 1:45 pm

          5 stars
          Simple, elegant, seasonal, beautiful - basically summer perfection. I'm always looking for vegan pesto recipes and excited to give yours a try!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 04, 2018 at 2:07 pm

            That's so great to hear Danielle! This dish will be perfect for summer gatherings, but it's great all year around really! 😉
            I hope you will try it some time soon, and if you do, let me know how did you get on!

            Reply
          • Sharmaine

            December 13, 2020 at 6:43 pm

            5 stars
            Excellent recipe. My boys loved it. So easy and quick to make. Thanks so much.

            Reply
            • Anna

              December 14, 2020 at 12:01 pm

              Thank you so much, I'm so happy to hear that!

              Reply
        22. Sunrita

          April 04, 2018 at 1:31 pm

          4 stars
          Simple things are always the tastiest! I will be making this one for sure, I can see my children clearing their plates!

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 04, 2018 at 1:34 pm

            Thanks Sunrita,
            So happy to hear that you like it! And I do hope the little ones will enjoy it too!

            Reply
        23. Silvia

          April 04, 2018 at 11:33 am

          5 stars
          I love everything about this recipe. It looks like the perfect way to embrace Spring.

          Reply
          • annabanana

            April 04, 2018 at 1:33 pm

            Hey Silvia, thanks so much! It is a great dish to celebrate the new season with, and I'm glad you also think so!

            Reply

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