Pin A vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant olive oil, tossed with al dente pasta for a simple yet elegant meal.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes: 600 g halved
- Garlic: 4 cloves peeled and smashed
- Red onion: 1 small thinly sliced (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil: 60 ml (1/4 cup)
- Dried pasta: 350 g penne fusilli or spaghetti
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Chili flakes: 1/2 tsp (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Fresh basil leaves: 15 g (1/4 cup) torn
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino: 60 g (1/2 cup) optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Set to 200°C (400°F)
- Prepare ingredients:
- Arrange cherry tomatoes garlic and red onion if using in a large baking dish Drizzle with olive oil sprinkle with oregano chili flakes salt and pepper Toss to coat evenly
- Roast:
- Cook in oven for 25 30 minutes or until tomatoes caramelized and bursting
- Cook pasta:
- Boil salted water cook pasta until al dente Reserve 120 ml (1/2 cup) pasta cooking water then drain
- Combine:
- Add pasta to baking dish with roasted tomatoes Toss well adding reserved pasta water as needed for silky sauce
- Add basil and cheese:
- Fold in fresh basil and half the cheese if using Adjust seasoning
- Serve:
- Garnish with remaining cheese and extra basil Serve immediately
Pin Required Tools
Large baking dish Large pot Strainer/colander Chefs knife Cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains wheat/gluten from pasta and milk if using cheese For gluten free use gluten free pasta For dairy free omit cheese or substitute with dairy free alternative Always check ingredient labels for allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories 440 Total Fat 14 g Carbohydrates 65 g Protein 12 g per serving
Pin Recipe Questions
- → What type of tomatoes work best for this dish?
Cherry tomatoes are ideal due to their natural sweetness and ability to caramelize well when roasted, enhancing the dish's flavor.
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
Yes, penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or other similar dried pasta shapes work well, holding the sauce nicely.
- → How do I create a silky sauce from roasted tomatoes?
Reserve some pasta cooking water and add it gradually to the roasted tomatoes and pasta mixture, stirring to achieve a smooth, glossy sauce.
- → Is it necessary to bake the tomatoes?
Baking caramelizes the tomatoes, intensifying their sweetness and flavor, which is key to this dish’s vibrant taste.
- → What are good variations to enhance flavor?
Adding olives or capers brings extra Mediterranean depth, and fresh herbs like basil or oregano elevate the aroma and taste.
- → How can I make this dish vegan?
Simply omit the cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative to keep it dairy-free and vegan-friendly.