Heat a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta per package directions, until al dente—reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
Meanwhile, quarter or half the tomatoes. Add them to a bowl and toss with kosher salt.
Combine the drained pasta, tomatoes, and pesto in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add about ¼ cup of the pasta water to the skillet and toss the pasta to coat with a loose pesto sauce (you may not need all of what you reserve). Add pasta water until the pasta is the consistency you like. Toss pasta over the heat just until the tomatoes are warmed through, about 3-5 minutes. Any longer, and the pesto becomes dark and looks unappetizing. Taste and adjust seasoning as you need.
Serve with mozzarella cheese, seasoned olive oil, and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
Reserve Pasta Water: pasta water is starchy and more flavorful than plain water. It also makes a thicker sauce. Add about ¼ cup of the pasta water to the skillet and toss the pasta to coat with a loose pesto sauce (you may not need all of what you reserve). Add pasta water until the pasta is the consistency you like. We tend to like this pasta dish a little dry.Don’t overcook the pesto: Overcooking it will turn dark. You only want to warm the tomatoes through.Roasting the tomatoes: If you have the time, you can go the extra mile to roast them to concentrate and intensify their flavor. However, adding salt to them works well with instant time savings.Add Protein: To keep this dish vegetarian, you can add mushrooms to give the dish more protein. If it’s not Meatless Monday, add grilled or rotisserie chicken, cooked Italian sausage, or steamed shrimp.Other Veggies: to give this dish more veggie power add olives or artichoke heartsTaste and Adjust: all pesto is not created equal. They vary in flavor, color, and intensity. It’s a good idea to taste the pasta after all the ingredients are combined and adjust them as necessary.
Did you try this recipe? Tell us what you think!Give this recipe a star rating, leave a comment below and share pictures of your food with us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter! We can't wait to see them! Don't forget to mention @TheMountainKitchen or tag #TheMountainKitchen!