Imagine twirling your fork into a stunning plate of angel hair pasta, glistening with rich balsamic-kissed tomatoes and fragrant fresh basil - a dish that looks and tastes like it came straight from an Italian trattoria, but can be prepared faster than you can order takeout. This Angel Hair with Balsamic Tomatoes recipe is your ticket to an effortless, gourmet meal that will make your taste buds dance and impress even the most discerning dinner guests.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- While the water is heating, prepare the tomatoes by halving the cherry tomatoes and placing them in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the balsamic vinegar and olive oil over the tomatoes. Gently toss to coat the tomatoes evenly, allowing them to marinate and develop flavor while the pasta cooks.
- Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 3-4 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and tender.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.
- Transfer the hot pasta directly into the bowl with marinated tomatoes. Toss gently to combine, allowing the warm pasta to slightly warm the tomatoes and absorb the balsamic dressing.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to help create a light sauce.
- Sprinkle the freshly chopped basil over the pasta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately in individual pasta bowls, ensuring an even distribution of tomatoes and basil.
Tips
- Use high-quality balsamic vinegar for the most intense flavor - a little goes a long way in creating depth.
- Don't overcook the angel hair pasta; it only needs 3-4 minutes to reach that perfect al dente texture.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining - its starchy magic helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients cling together.
- For extra richness, consider adding a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese just before serving.
- Let the tomatoes marinate while the pasta cooks to maximize flavor infusion.
- Use ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes for the best taste and visual appeal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
