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Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas, this quick-cooking pasta is like summer in a bowl. Rosemary oil fried chickpeas, lemon, and linguine pasta, all tossed with a “jammy” cherry tomato pasta sauce, kale, and plenty of basil. Serve topped with creamy burrata cheese, fried rosemary, lemon, and extra crispy chickpeas. This is the perfect summer dinner, all made using pantry staples and garden produce. Simple yet so delectable, and ready in under 45 minutes. Most importantly…every twirl of pasta is mouth-wateringly delicious.

overhead photo of Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas

To say that I’ve been working on this pasta for a while now would be a bit of an understatement. For whatever reason, this very simple…ish pasta took me forever to perfect. But last week I finally got it just right, and I’m so excited to share all the details.

This pasta is inspired simply by the overflowing rosemary bush in our greenhouse and my love of cherry tomatoes. I wanted to make a new summer pasta using sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes. But instead of using basil, my go-to herb, I wanted to switch things up and use rosemary. I love rosemary, but I don’t use it as often as I should. It can be a super powerful herb and has an intense flavor. But when used correctly it can really add so much to a dish. In today’s case, the rosemary helps to reinvigorate the average summer tomato pasta with fresh, exciting flavor.

raw tomatoes in box

I have so much to say about this pasta…so much.

But, if only one thing I say sticks with you today, let it be this…every last twist of pasta is DELICIOUS. It’s saucy, herby, bursting with jammy tomatoes, layered with creamy burrata cheese, and topped with crunchy fried chickpeas infused with rosemary and lemon.

It’s the pasta of summer, and it’s just what you need in your life. Today. Tomorrow. This weekend. Basically every other day from now until mid-late September.

Am I being dramatic? Why of course, but everything I’m saying is true. There is not one thing not to love about this pasta.

Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas in skillet

(chickpeas in skillet)

Jammy Cherry Tomatoes in skillet

It all starts with the oil and the chickpeas. As of recently, I’ve really been obsessed with frying chickpeas in olive oil with fresh herbs and lemons. It’s my go-to when I want to add texture and crunch to a dish.

Of course, it’s awesome that this is a healthy obsession, but honestly, these chickpeas can become addicting. Maybe even more so than a potato chip? For me, for sure, but I think everyone will have their own opinion on that…

Anyway, the key is to crisp the chickpeas in a good amount of olive oil alongside fresh rosemary. As the chickpeas crisp, the rosemary fries in the oil, infusing all that olive oil with intense rosemary flavor. During the last minute of cooking, toss in some thinly sliced lemon and let that fry up as well. Remove everything but the oil from the pan and season it all with salt and pepper.

Now you have perfectly crisp chickpeas, fried rosemary, and fried lemon…

Try not to eat them all before the pasta is even assembled.

side angled photo of Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas

OK, now, boil-off your pasta. You can really use any cut of pasta you love most, but I’d recommend a long cut. I find it works really well with this sauce.

While the pasta is cooking, make the “jammy” tomatoes. Also known as burst cherry tomatoes that have been cooked down until they are sweet and jammy. Cook the tomatoes in all that reserved rosemary oil until they burst and release their juices. Add apple cider vinegar, and fig preserves. Yes, vinegar and preserves. I know it’s very odd, but please do trust me here. The vinegar balances the acid in the tomatoes, while the jam adds the slightest bit of sweetness and lends a nice “jammy” texture to the sauce. If you don’t want to use preserves, I’d recommend a touch of honey instead.

By the time the pasta is done cooking, the sauce should be pretty much ready. Add the pasta to the tomatoes along with a touch of butter, fresh Tuscan kale, and plenty of fresh basil. Toss until you really smell that basil. Season with salt and pepper and you’re ready to EAT.

overhead close up photo of Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas

Well almost…the plating is very important and should go as follows:

Pasta, room temperature burrata, a sprinkle of crispy chickpeas, and then any reserved fried rosemary and lemon.

Seems really fancy, right? But it’s actually so simple and made entirely in one pan (ok, two including the pasta cooking pan). And all in under 45 minutes minutes.

This one is as close to perfect as a summer pasta could get.

side angled close up photo of Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas

If you’re someone who enjoys a gluten-free diet, this can easily be made using gluten-free pasta. And if you’re vegan? Simply omit the butter and burrata cheese. No need to add any additional ingredients, as the pasta is delicious enough on its own.

I’d recommend serving this with my balsamic peach spritz and cobbler for dessert. Perfect any night of the week.

overhead photo Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas with fork on plate twirling the pasta

If you make this jammy cherry tomato pasta with crisp lemon rosemary chickpeas be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1151 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Heat a large, high sided skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, chickpeas, and rosemary, and cook, stirring occasionally until the chickpeas are crisped all over, about 8-10 minutes. It's OK if some of the chickpeas are popping. Add the lemon and cook another minute, until fried. Remove the chickpeas, rosemary, and most of the lemon from the oil to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with salt and pepper. Set the skillet aside.
    2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain.
    3. Meanwhile, place the skillet with the rosemary-infused oil still inside over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the tomatoes, garlic, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the tomatoes begin to pop, about 4-5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the vinegar, preserves or honey, and a splash of the pasta cooking water (3-4 tablespoons). Simmer 5-10 minutes, until the sauce reduces and is "jammy".
    4. Add the pasta, kale, and basil, tossing to combine. Crumble in the fried rosemary, reserving 1 sprig for topping. If needed, thin the sauce with additional pasta cooking water.
    6. Divide the pasta and butter (if using), among plates and top with burrata cheese, crisp chickpeas, crumbled rosemary, and lemon. Enjoy!
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Comments

  1. I finally made this dish & it’s AWESOME!! Perfect balance of flavors! I used spinach instead of the kale. Thanks for another great recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    Just made this for dinner. Got the seal of approval from my carnivorous husband. I think I’ll be finding popped chickpeas in strange places for a few days! Will definitely be making again- thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    Made this last week and am making it again tonight! Can’t get enough! I was pleasantly surprised with how amazing and flavorful this was. My usual store didn’t have burrata so I subbed in mozzarella and it was great. Just saw fresh picked tomatoes and basil downstairs up for grabs (we have an organic garden at work!) so now I’m even more excited to make it again!

  4. 3 stars
    I followed this recipe to a tee and was a bit disappointed. I thought the flavours fell flat. I was expecting it to be more “saucy”. My husband enjoyed it. Unfortunately, neither my chickpeas nor my rosemary was crispy. I might use this recipe as a guide for my own twist. But I would not make this specific recipe again.

    1. Hi Trish! I am sorry to hear this. I have a tutorial of this recipe on my instagram if you would like to check it out. I hope you love other recipes on my blog! xTieghan

  5. 4 stars
    Made this dish last night and found that the sauce was not enough for the specified 1lb of pasta. Added pasta water to skillet but that only watered down the yummy jammy sauce with dried up quick. Also my chickpeas (toweled dried) popped so much they were jumping out of the skillet. The dish was still very delicious. Will make again

  6. 5 stars
    This was soooo good. My husband was a little leery of chickpeas being the protein, but then he couldn’t keep his hands off of them after they were fried and waiting on the plate for the rest of the dish to finish. I can’t stop eating the leftovers! Thanks for creating an easy, delicious recipe with items I already have in my pantry and fridge. It’s definitely a keeper!

  7. Always a 10/10!!! Not sure how you do it!! Flavours are amazing. Fresh, zesty, herbaceous, sweet & slaty. So delicious. Will definitely make again and again!

  8. Tried this with my mom and it came out GREAT!!!! Really, really love the fig preserve and burrata cheese. Literally depression gone, life thriving, thank you for the recipe 🙂

  9. 5 stars
    Delicious!!! The red pepper and basil with the lemon and rosemary was the perfect combination! I could not find the cheese so I chopped up some fresh mozzarella and tossed it in and the end. It worked perfectly !