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No Cook Summer Pasta Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

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A bright, no-cook tomato–basil pasta sauce that marinates while the pasta boils—ideal for steamy summer evenings when you want peak-season flavor without turning on the stove.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lb ripe heirloom tomatoes (about 4–5 medium), halved across the equator
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan (3 oz), plus extra for serving
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red-pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 lb long pasta (spaghetti, linguini, or fettuccine)
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

  1. Prepare tomatoes: Gently squeeze each tomato half to remove seeds and watery pulp, then chop the flesh into 1-inch pieces. Lightly mash in a large bowl.
  2. Build the sauce: Stir in garlic, Parmesan, butter, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, red-pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes (or refrigerate up to 8 hours).
  3. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then transfer it directly to the tomato bowl, allowing a splash of pasta water to come along.
  4. Toss and serve: Add torn basil and toss until butter melts and the sauce coats the noodles. Adjust seasoning, garnish with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • The longer the sauce rests (up to 8 hours chilled), the deeper the flavor; bring to room temperature 1 hour before using.
  • Use only very ripe summer tomatoes for maximum sweetness and minimal watery pulp.
  • This dish doesn’t reheat well—prepare only what you’ll eat the same day.

Nutrition

Keywords: no cook pasta, summer tomato sauce, fresh tomato basil pasta, heirloom tomatoes, vegetarian dinner

Find it online: https://zesticook.com/no-cook-summer-pasta-sauce-with-fresh-tomatoes/