Description
Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta is a delightful and simple dish that showcases the natural sweetness of roasted cherry tomatoes combined with the rich flavor of garlic. This recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re enjoying a cozy dinner at home or hosting festive gatherings with friends. With its fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs, this pasta dish stands out as a crowd-pleaser that caters to both vegetarians and meat lovers. Not only is it quick to prepare, taking just 45 minutes from start to finish, but it also allows for customization, making it easy to incorporate your favorite vegetables or proteins. Enjoy a bowl of comforting pasta that bursts with flavor while keeping it light and healthy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes
- 1 head garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or your choice)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rinse cherry tomatoes and pat them dry in a mixing bowl.
- Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves.
- Drizzle tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional). Toss well.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; spread tomatoes in a single layer and place garlic cut side up on the same sheet. Drizzle garlic with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 25-30 minutes until blistered.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente; reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Allow roasted tomatoes and garlic to cool slightly; squeeze out garlic cloves into a mixing bowl.
- Mash together roasted tomatoes and garlic until combined; stir in remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar (optional), salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to the tomato-garlic mixture; toss while adding reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Gently fold in chopped basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Use ripe cherry tomatoes for maximum sweetness. Don't skip roasting the garlic, as it enhances flavor significantly. Experiment by adding seasonal vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition.