Cherry Tomato & Garlic Pasta

4.3
(4)
4 Reviews

This easy and healthy cherry tomato pasta recipe takes just 20 minutes to prep, so it's a perfect weeknight dinner. Cooking garlic cloves whole and then mashing them into the sauce not only saves time, it creates a mellow garlic flavor that melds seamlessly into the silky burst cherry tomatoes.

By
Karen Rankin
Karen Rankin
Karen Rankin

Karen Rankin is a recipe tester, developer and food stylist. She is also a writer whose work has appeared in EatingWell, Southern Living, MyRecipes, Cooking Light, Real Simple and Food & Wine. She has served as a food stylist for many of those same brands and produces a series of videos for Southern Living called Tips from the Test Kitchen.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on September 19, 2023
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
6 cups
Nutrition Profile:
Bone-Health Nut-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Soy-Free Vegetarian High-Protein Egg-Free Low-Calorie
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat penne pasta

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes

  • 1 medium yellow squash, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup chopped fresh basil

  • 1 cup pearl-size or mini mozzarella balls (about 4 ounces)

  • ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, drain the pasta and cover to keep warm.

  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften and turn light golden, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, squash and salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash softens and the tomatoes begin to burst, 4 to 5 minutes. Lightly mash the garlic with the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.

  3. Add the pasta and reserved cooking water to the pan along with basil and mozzarella; toss to combine. Serve topped with Parmesan.

    6535785.jpg
Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

385 Calories
15g Fat
49g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 385
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 16g 32%
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Vitamin A 1529IU 31%
Vitamin C 22mg 24%
Folate 72mcg 18%
Sodium 622mg 27%
Calcium 253mg 19%
Iron 3mg 16%
Magnesium 99mg 24%
Potassium 609mg 13%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles

Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons & Parsley Brown Butter
Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons & Parsley Brown Butter
20 mins
5606651.jpg
Classic Mac & Cheese
20 mins
Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
20 mins
7861176.jpg
Spinach & Dill Pasta Salad
15 mins
4005446.jpg
Ravioli with Arugula & Pecorino
20 mins
7124995.jpg
Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon
15 mins
6691966.jpg
Spinach Ravioli with Artichokes & Olives
15 mins
6450061.jpg
Pasta with Ricotta & Summer Vegetables
25 mins
6076850.jpg
Pesto Shrimp Pasta
20 mins
3988528.jpg
Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese
30 mins
Greek-Style Chicken Salad
Greek-Style Chicken Salad
20 mins
spinach-artichoke-dip-pasta
Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta
20 mins
Skillet Ravioli Lasagna in a cast iron skillet
Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
20 mins
3759324.jpg
Linguine with Creamy White Clam Sauce
15 mins
3755746.jpg
Florentine Ravioli
20 mins
Italian Penne with Tuna
Penne with Tuna & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
20 mins