Barefoot Contessa Angel Hair Pasta is made with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and angel hair pasta. This recipe creates a fresh, flavorful pasta with a light tomato-basil sauce. It takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes to prepare and serves 6.
Barefoot Contessa Angel Hair Pasta Ingredients
- 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- Good olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
- 18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound dried angel hair pasta
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
How To Make Barefoot Contessa Angel Hair Pasta
- Prepare Tomato Mixture: In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, ½ cup olive oil, garlic, julienned basil, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 4 hours.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt. Add angel hair pasta and cook al dente (2–3 minutes).
- Drain and Combine: Drain pasta well and add to the bowl with the tomato mixture.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Stir in Parmesan and extra basil leaves. Toss thoroughly to combine.
- Serve: Dish into bowls and top each serving with extra Parmesan.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Skip the Marinating Time: Letting the tomatoes sit brings out their juices and enhances flavor.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, and real Parmesan make a big difference.
- Cook Pasta Briefly: Angel hair cooks very quickly—don’t overdo it.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best when hot and freshly tossed.
- Add a Protein: Grilled shrimp or chicken pairs nicely for a more filling meal.
What To Serve With Angel Hair Pasta
This light pasta dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread, a crisp Caesar salad, or roasted asparagus. A chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc complements the bright tomato and basil flavors.
How To Store Angel Hair Pasta
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Freeze: Not recommended as the fresh tomato and basil mixture may lose texture and flavor when thawed.
Angel Hair Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 520
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Sodium: 620mg
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, spaghetti or linguine work well if you don’t have angel hair.
Do I need to let the tomato mixture sit for 4 hours?
It’s highly recommended for best flavor, but 1–2 hours will still taste great.
Can I serve this cold?
Yes, it makes a tasty pasta salad if chilled after tossing.
Is this dish vegetarian?
Yes, as long as you use vegetarian Parmesan or skip it.
Can I add other vegetables?
Sure—try spinach, arugula, or roasted zucchini for extra veggies.
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Barefoot Contessa Angel Hair Pasta
Description
A light, fresh pasta with marinated cherry tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes, ½ cup olive oil, garlic, basil, red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Cover and let sit at room temp for 4 hours.
- Boil water with olive oil and 2 tbsp salt. Cook pasta al dente (2–3 minutes).
- Drain and add pasta to tomato mixture.
- Add Parmesan and extra basil, toss well.
- Serve in large bowls with additional cheese on top.