Vegetarian Pesto Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

a bowl of vegetarian pesto pasta topped with roasted tomatoes and mozzarella on a grey background

Vegetarian Pesto Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Vegetarian Pesto Pasta is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that you can have on the table in 30 minutes or less! Made easy with store-bought pesto, roasted tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella, this is a simple weeknight pasta you'll make time and time again.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Vegetarian Pesto Pasta

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 477kcal

Author Katie Trant

Ingredients

14 oz cherry tomatoes
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
14 oz dried spaghetti or other pasta
7 oz pesto store bought or homemade
6 oz mini mozzarella balls or one large ball diced up
½ bunch fresh basil
Parmesan cheese for serving
salt and pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 400°F / 200°C.
Place the tomatoes in an oven-proof baking dish and drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the tomatoes into the oven and roast for 20 minutes, until burst, juicy, and slightly browned.
While the tomatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of water to the boil, and salt it generously. Add the pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
Before draining the pasta, scoop out one cup of pasta water and set aside.
Drain the pasta in a colander.
Return the drained pasta to the same pot. Add the pesto sauce, and stir to combine.
Add the pasta water bit by bit, until the pesto pasta has reached a nice saucy consistency. You may not need all of it.
Spoon pasta into bowls. Top with roasted tomatoes, mini mozzarella, and fresh basil. Serve.

Notes

Nutrition values are an estimate only
If you do want to make this dish in advance and re-heat it, I recommend that you store all of the components separately. So make the spaghetti al pesto and store it in one container, and store the roasted tomatoes and mozzarella balls each in their own containers.
When you're ready to serve, combine the pasta and tomatoes and re-heat individual dishes in the microwave. Top with mozzarella balls and fresh basil, and you're good to go.

Nutrition