Description
Roasted cherry tomatoes bring pure summer magic to this simple pasta dish that takes your weeknight dinner from ordinary to spectacular. Quick roasting concentrates the tomatoes’ sweetness while creating a deliciously light sauce that perfectly coats your favorite pasta shape.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
Supporting Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh basil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a sizzling 400°F and grab a large mixing bowl to create magic with cherry tomatoes.
- Slice 2 cups of cherry tomatoes in half and toss them with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Spread the tomato mixture evenly across a baking sheet, ensuring each piece gets maximum roasting exposure.
- Roast the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes until they transform into soft, caramelized gems with slightly charred edges.
- While tomatoes roast, cook 8 ounces of pasta in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Save ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining – this liquid gold will help create a silky sauce.
- Transfer the roasted tomato mixture directly into the cooked pasta, gently folding to combine.
- Splash in reserved pasta water gradually, creating a luscious sauce that coats every strand.
- Sprinkle ½ cup fresh chopped basil, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar over the pasta.
- Toss everything together, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed for a restaurant-worthy final touch.
Notes
- Choose ripe, vibrant cherry tomatoes for the most intense flavor and best roasting results.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet when roasting tomatoes, as this can prevent proper caramelization and create soggy results.
- Consider adding some protein like grilled chicken or white beans to make the pasta a more complete meal.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or your favorite gluten-free pasta alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg