Last Updated on February 15, 2024
This unbelievably easy healthy pasta recipe bursts with flavorful tomatoes, basil, and feta to make an absurdly simple but healthy and delicious dinner.
Before summer’s over and these delicious garden goodies are gone, give this tasty, easy recipe for pasta with luscious heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil a try. I’m sure it’ll be a hit. And you will LOVE how little cooking’s involved!
Easy Healthy Pasta Recipe for a Vegetarian Win!
I make this vegetarian easy healthy pasta recipe often when tomatoes are flowing in from my CSA because it’s such a perfect celebration of summer produce and takes all of two minutes to throw together (excluding cooking the pasta, of course).
Nearly no-cook meal that tastes amazing AND is good for you? Sign me up!
Start with some whole-grain pasta, which you can cook ahead if you prefer and serve this as a cold salad. I like rigatoni or penne best for this dish, but try it with your favorite shape and decide for yourself. Here‘s a sweet deal on whole-grain organic pasta. Or choose gluten-free if you’d rather, but try to find something whole-grain and organic as well.
All you need are some ripe, flavorful tomatoes, a handful of fresh basil and some feta cheese. Chop and mix and dinner is served!
I like to go heavy on the tomatoes to up the vegetable quotient of the meal and get a nice dose of potassium, lycopene, and vitamin A, among other goodies in these wonderful fruits. You can also use cherry tomatoes if you prefer, but prep will be longer, plus whoever has enough cherry tomatoes?
Related: Top Anti Inflammatory Food
The basil adds vitamin K and all those phytonutrients aromatic herbs are famous for. Feta cheese, besides being delicious, is a good source of calcium and protein and is one of the least carbon-intensive cheeses you can buy.
Other bonuses: This is a crowd-pleasing meatless meal. Since it’s served at room temperature, it’s a good choice for all those summer potlucks. Plus, it’s cheap, just a few dollars for the whole family, less if you grow your own tomatoes and basil.
Basil is one of many herbs that can grow in shade. Try planting some of these shade-tolerant herbs and add fresh flavor to so many summer meals!
Try this crazy-simple but crazy-delicious easy healthy pasta recipe and I bet it will soon find a regular place in your meal rotation. I bet it’ll be a highlight of your seasonal eating, as it is mine.
Easy Healthy Pasta Recipe with Tomatoes, Basil & Feta
Prep time: 3 minutes Cook time: NONE if your pasta’s already made! 🙂
1lb whole grain pasta, cooked (our family loves these orecchiettes. We also like this penne)
2 large tomatoes, the best you can find!
1 cup basil leaves (more if you like)
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Rough chop tomatoes. If they’re juicy, be sure to pour the juice in along with the tomatoes to coat the pasta.
- Chop basil into slivers or small pieces.
- Combine cooked pasta, tomatoes, basil and feta in bowl and serve at room temperature.
That’s it! So simple but utterly delicious. Mmmmm.
I hope you add this to your repertoire of easy healthy pasta recipes before tomato season winds down!
Another seasonal favorite to try: This easy ratatouille features delicious vegetables coming from your garden or CSA. It’s SO good!
Try it and let me know what you think!
Need some other meatless meal ideas? Check out the top vegan protein sources for endless possibilities.
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Susannah is a proud garden geek and energy nerd who loves healthy food and natural remedies. Her work has appeared in Mother Earth Living, Ensia, Northern Gardener, Sierra, and on numerous websites. Her first book, Everything Elderberry, released in September 2020 and has been a #1 new release in holistic medicine, naturopathy, herb gardening, and other categories. Find out more and grab your copy here.