If you love fresh, vibrant flavors and effortless entertaining, the Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad will absolutely win your heart. This colorful salad combines sun-sweet cherry tomatoes, aromatic garlic, fragrant basil, and the irresistible richness of Parmesan cheese, all tossed with perfectly al dente pasta. It’s quick to make, brimming with garden-fresh goodness, and equally stunning served warm, at room temperature, or chilled for picnics and gatherings. Get ready to fall in love with a dish that shouts summer with every bite!

Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the true joys of the Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is how it lets stellar ingredients shine. Each component adds a unique note—whether it’s freshness, silkiness, or a pop of color—and together, they create real magic in your bowl. Let’s spotlight what you’ll need:

Fusilli or other short pasta (12 ounces): The spiral shape helps catch all that garlicky tomato goodness, but any short pasta works beautifully.
Cherry tomatoes, halved (1 pint): Sweet, juicy, and bursting with color, these bring the garden right to your plate.
Extra-virgin olive oil (½ cup): For richness and a silky finish that ties the whole salad together.
Minced garlic (2 tablespoons, about 6 cloves): Adds an aromatic punch and incredible depth of flavor.
Crushed red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon): Just a hint gives that subtle, warm heat—totally optional if you prefer mild.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1 cup): Salty, nutty, and creamy, it melts slightly to coat every bite.
Fresh basil leaves, chopped (1 cup): This turns a simple pasta into a celebration of summer with its sweet, peppery fragrance.
Salt, to taste: For seasoning every layer and bringing out the natural flavors.
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste: Adds a little bite and balances the richness of the cheese and oil.

How to Make Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a big pot with salted water and set it to boil—this is where your pasta will pick up its flavor right from the start. Add your fusilli (or the pasta of your choice) and cook according to package directions until it’s just al dente. You want it with a little bite since it’ll soak up lots of flavor from the sauce. Drain and set aside, but don’t rinse—you want all that starchy goodness!

Step 2: Infuse the Olive Oil

While your pasta cooks, reach for your largest sauté pan and drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. Warm it gently over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Let them sizzle for a minute or two, stirring constantly—just until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This quick step infuses the oil with lots of flavor without any bitterness.

Step 3: Soften the Tomatoes

Pull your pan off the heat and stir in the halved cherry tomatoes. The warmth from the oil will coax out their juices, creating a juicy, garlicky tomato sauce. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes—it’s a little waiting game that rewards you with deeply seasoned, slightly softened tomatoes that burst with flavor.

Step 4: Toss Everything Together

Grab a big serving bowl and combine the warm pasta with the tomato mixture, tossing to coat every piece in the luscious oil and bright tomato juices. Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan and shower everything with chopped basil. Give it a good toss so the cheese starts to melt, and the basil perfumes the whole salad. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Your Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is ready! Whether you serve it warm for a comforting evening meal, at room temperature for a casual lunch, or chilled for a picnic, every bite is a celebration of summer’s best flavors. The salad only gets more delicious as it sits and the flavors have a chance to meld.

How to Serve Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad

Garnishes

This salad is all about those little finishing touches. Try an extra shower of freshly grated Parmesan, a handful of torn basil leaves, or even some toasted pine nuts for crunch. If you want to add a pop of creaminess, a few fresh mozzarella pearls scattered over the top make for a luxurious presentation, and they play off the basil and tomatoes in the most delightful way.

Side Dishes

Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is versatile enough to partner with everything from grilled chicken to seared fish, or just a simple crusty baguette. Serve it alongside a leafy green salad, garlic bread, or a platter of marinated grilled vegetables for a hearty spread that screams summer entertaining. Even as a main course, it holds its own for lunch or a light dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

To really wow your guests, serve the salad in a big, shallow platter and sprinkle edible flowers for a beautiful garden party vibe. You can also portion it into individual mason jars for picnics, or stuff it into halved sweet bell peppers for a striking and portable twist. There’s no wrong way to showcase the colors and flavors of this crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container, and don’t be surprised if it tastes even better the next day—those flavors have time to meld to their full potential. If the pasta seems a bit dry, just toss with a splash of olive oil to revive it.

Freezing

While most pasta salads aren’t great candidates for freezing, the fresh ingredients and cheese in this recipe especially prefer to skip the deep freeze. Freezing can change the texture of the tomatoes, basil, and cheese, making the salad less vibrant when thawed. It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh from the fridge, where it holds its sunny character.

Reheating

Pasta salads are typically meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, and the Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is no exception. However, if you crave a warm version, simply microwave individual portions for about 30 seconds to take the chill off. Just be careful not to overheat, as you want to keep those fresh flavors intact.

FAQs

Can I add protein to Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad?

Absolutely! Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas for a heartier, protein-boosted meal. The salad’s simple flavors make it a great canvas for all sorts of additions.

What other pasta shapes work well with this salad?

While fusilli is classic, you can use rotini, penne, farfalle, or even orecchiette. Go for any shape with nooks and crannies to hold onto the flavorful dressing and veggies.

Can I make Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad in advance?

Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead or even the day before serving. Just hold off on adding the basil until right before you serve for the freshest flavor and color.

How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?

The key is to let the tomatoes and oil mixture cool before tossing with the pasta, and not to overdress if you’re making it ahead. Stir just before serving and add a little more cheese or basil for freshness.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

If you use your favorite gluten-free pasta, the recipe works wonderfully for those with dietary restrictions. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one dish that captures the joyful ease of summer cooking, it’s the Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad. It’s quick, beautiful, full of flavor, and perfect for sharing. Give it a try and let the freshness and charm of your own backyard garden shine through every forkful!

Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

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

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Description

This Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that captures the fresh flavors of summer with cherry tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a versatile salad that can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

12 ounces fusilli or other short pasta

Tomato Mixture:

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Additional Ingredients:

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the Tomato Mixture: Heat olive oil in a sauté pan, add garlic and red pepper flakes, then stir in cherry tomatoes. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: In a serving bowl, toss the warm pasta with the tomato mixture, Parmesan cheese, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

You can add fresh mozzarella pearls for extra creaminess.
For a heartier version, toss in grilled chicken or shrimp.
This salad tastes even better after sitting for an hour so the flavors can meld.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling, Tossing
Cuisine: American