Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. With sweet, blistered tomatoes and mellow roasted garlic, this pasta recipe brings a fresh and comforting meal to your table in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of cherry tomatoes
• 1 head of garlic
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 pound of pasta (spaghetti or your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water and pat them dry. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Step 3: Slice off the top of the head of garlic to expose the cloves.
4. Step 4: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the tomatoes, add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss to coat.
5. Step 5: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tomatoes in a single layer. Place the garlic head cut side up on the same sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
6. Step 6: Roast for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the garlic is soft.
7. Step 7: While the tomatoes and garlic roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
8. Step 8: Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally.
9. Step 9: Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. Do not rinse.
10. Step 10: Once roasted, let the tomatoes and garlic cool for a few minutes.
11. Step 11: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a large mixing bowl.
12. Step 12: Add the roasted tomatoes and any juices from the baking sheet.
13. Step 13: Gently mash the tomatoes and garlic together with a fork or potato masher.
14. Step 14: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar (if using), and season with salt and pepper.
15. Step 15: Add the cooked pasta to the bowl and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
16. Step 16: Fold in the chopped fresh basil.
17. Step 17: Serve in bowls, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and extra basil leaves if desired.
18. Step 18: Drizzle with olive oil for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use sun-dried tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes for a deeper, concentrated flavor.
• Add a handful of toasted pine nuts for extra texture and nuttiness.
• For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with nutritional yeast.
• If you prefer less garlic flavor, remove a few cloves from the head before roasting.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of tomatoes for this recipe?

Yes, you can use grape tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes. Just adjust the roasting time as needed to avoid over or undercooking.

What type of pasta works best with this sauce?

Spaghetti is a classic choice, but any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine works well. Short pasta like penne can also be used if you prefer.

Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 71 reviews

Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. Juicy cherry tomatoes and whole garlic cloves are roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and depth, then tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese for a comforting, vibrant meal.

• Author: Viktoria
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 1 pound cherry tomatoes
• 1 head of garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Pasta

• 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or your choice)

Seasonings and Oils

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)

Cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and garlic.
2. Prepare Tomatoes: Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water and pat them dry. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Prepare Garlic: Slice off the top of the head of garlic to expose the cloves, making it ready for roasting.
4. Season Tomatoes: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the tomatoes, then add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything to coat evenly.
5. Arrange for Roasting: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the tomatoes in a single layer on the sheet and place the garlic head cut side up alongside them. Drizzle the garlic with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt.
6. Roast: Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered and the garlic cloves become soft and fragrant.
7. Cook Pasta: While roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally.
8. Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Do not rinse the pasta after draining.
9. Cool Roasted Ingredients: Let the roasted tomatoes and garlic cool for a few minutes to handle safely.
10. Extract Garlic: Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a large mixing bowl.
11. Add Tomatoes: Add the roasted tomatoes along with any juices that collected on the baking sheet to the bowl with the garlic.
12. Mash Ingredients: Gently mash the tomatoes and garlic together using a fork or potato masher to create a chunky sauce.
13. Season Sauce: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar if using, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
14. Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the bowl and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and reach desired consistency.
15. Add Basil: Fold in the chopped fresh basil to infuse fresh herbaceous flavor throughout the pasta.
16. Serve: Serve the pasta in bowls topped with grated Parmesan cheese and extra basil leaves if you like.
17. Finish: Drizzle with a little more olive oil for an extra burst of flavor before serving.

Notes

• Roasting garlic mellows its flavor and adds sweetness, making it perfect for this sauce.
• Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce texture and helping it cling to pasta.
• Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
• For a spicier kick, increase red pepper flakes or add crushed chili.
• Fresh basil is essential for that bright, fresh flavor in the finished dish.
• Use high-quality olive oil and Parmesan for the best taste.

Keywords: roasted tomato pasta, garlic pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian vegetarian pasta, roasted vegetables pasta