Simple Summer Pasta

I love cooking pasta dishes, but when summer rolls around it's hard to twirl your fork around a rich, warm red sauce. I opt for a summer pasta dish that is lighter, fresh and so simple to create:

1 box pasta (capellini or linguine work well)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Boil water for the pasta. While the pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large sauce pan over medium heat. When warm, add the garlic, and stir for two to three minutes (be careful not to burn the garlic). Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to heat the tomatoes while the pasta continues to cook. Once the pasta is al dente, strain and pour into a large bowl. Turn off the heat under the sauce pan of tomatoes. Add the chopped basil and stir. Pour tomato mixture over the pasta. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese & enjoy!