I love fresh tomatoes. Not only do they taste delicious, tomatoes are loaded with health benefits because they are high in nutrients and antioxidants. I also love tomatoes because they go well in so many dishes and you don’t have to be a great chef to whip up a yummy tomato recipe. Just the other day, I got a bunch of fresh Florida tomatoes and I added them to a pesto pasta dish and it turned out great so I will share that tomato pesto recipe with you here along with a few other tomato recipes. Thanks to the folks at Florida Tomato Committee for sponsoring this fresh tomato recipes post.
The rich, creamy texture and herby flavor of pesto complement the tangy, slightly sweet taste of tomatoes. The tomatoes add a refreshing brightness that balances the richness of the pesto. Both pesto and tomatoes offer various health benefits. Pesto, typically made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, provides healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins C and K, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene.
Easy Pesto And Tomato Pasta
This combination draws from classic Italian cuisine, where both pesto and tomatoes are staple ingredients. It’s a nod to Mediterranean flavors that are widely appreciated for their simplicity and depth. This fresh tomato pesto pasta is a great way to get all the health benefits of fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh garlic. It is also a crowd pleaser and a great dish to bring to summer get-togethers. Plus, it is simple to make. With such an impressive pasta dish, no one will even know how easy it is.
Serves 6
Fresh Tomato Pesto Pasta Ingredients:
1 pound of penne pasta
2-3 large tomatoes
3/4 cup of pesto (you can use store bought make it yourself with this easy basil pesto recipe)
salt to taste
1/2 cup parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top
How To Make Tomato And Pesto Pasta:
If you are making the pesto, start with that first by combining the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add a couple of pinches of salt to taste and mix in the cheese my hand. Place pesto in the fridge to cool for a bit.
Cook your pasta according to the manufacturer’s al dente instructions and drain. Place pasta back into the pan and mix in the pesto over low heat for 1-2 minutes while the sauce gets married to the pasta. You may not use all of the pesto just add it in until the pasta is coated the way you like it.
Transfer pesto pasta to a large serving bowl.
Remove the core of the tomatoes and chop the tomatoes into bite size chunks. Try to resist snacking on a few tomatoes while you work- or be like me and go ahead!
Then add your tomatoes to your pesto pasta and stir. I like to serve this Tomato Pesto Pasta with some fresh bread. Enjoy!
Printable Tomato Pesto Pasta Recipe Card:
This is a delicious summer pasta dish perfect for when tomatoes and basil are in season. Enjoy!
Tomato And Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound of penne pasta
- 2-3 large tomatoes
- 3/4 cup of pesto
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to the manufacturer's al dente instructions and drain. Place pasta back into the pan and mix in the pesto over low heat for 1-2 minutes while the sauce gets married to the pasta. You may not use all of the pesto just add it in until the pasta is coated the way you like it.
- Transfer pesto pasta to a large serving bowl.
- Remove the core of the tomatoes and chop the tomatoes into bite size chunks.
- Add diced tomatoes to your pasta bowl and stir.
- It is ready to serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Tomato And Pesto Pasta Recipe
Serves: 6
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 469.58 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 11.97 g | 16.9% | |
| Saturated Fat 1.66 g | 5% | |
| Trans Fat 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol 2.67 mg | 0.7% | |
| Sodium 347.91 mg | 14.5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 78.28 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber 3.76 g | 12% | |
| Sugars 20.34 g | ||
| Protein 12.12 g | ||
| Vitamin A 2.99 % | Vitamin C 9.75 % | |
| Calcium 7.92 % | Iron 11.24 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Conclusion
This dish is relatively easy to prepare. Pesto can be made in advance or purchased, and fresh tomatoes can be used raw, making it a convenient option for a quick meal. Pesto and tomato pasta is a delicious and versatile dish that combines the vibrant flavors of fresh basil pesto with the natural sweetness and acidity of tomatoes. The bright green of the pesto and the red of the tomatoes create a visually appealing dish that can be garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan or vegan cheese for an extra touch of elegance.
Pesto and tomato pasta can be adapted to various dietary preferences. For example, you can make it vegan by using a dairy-free pesto and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. It’s also easy to add proteins like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it more substantial.
Florida Tomato growers sure know how to grow fresh, delicious tomatoes. What are some of your favorite fresh tomato recipes?
More Tomato Recipes:
Easy Tomato Soup Recipe With Grilled Cheese
Anders Svenson says
Yesterday I made this recipe for dinner. It was cooked very delicious and yummy. My all friends praised me for delicious recipe, but I want to give first credit to you for this recipe. Thanks for sharing it.