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Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

4.6 from 92 reviews

Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish featuring sweet blistered cherry tomatoes and soft roasted garlic combined with al dente pasta, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. This easy recipe uses roasting and stovetop cooking to create a rich, savory sauce perfect for any pasta lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

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

Pantry Staples

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

Pasta & Cheese

  • 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or choice)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and garlic.
  2. Prepare Tomatoes and Garlic: Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes, placing them in a large bowl. Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves.
  3. Season Tomatoes: Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the tomatoes, add salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, then toss to coat evenly.
  4. Arrange for Roasting: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the tomatoes in a single layer, place the garlic head cut side up, drizzle it with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
  5. Roast: Bake the tomatoes and garlic for 25-30 minutes until tomatoes blister and garlic softens.
  6. Cook Pasta: While roasting, bring salted water to a boil, cook pasta per package directions until al dente, stirring occasionally. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  7. Cool Roasted Ingredients: Let the roasted tomatoes and garlic cool briefly.
  8. Prepare Sauce: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a large bowl, add roasted tomatoes and juices. Mash together gently with a fork or potato masher.
  9. Season the Sauce: Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional balsamic vinegar, and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the sauce, toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
  11. Add Fresh Basil: Fold in chopped basil for fresh flavor.
  12. Serve: Plate the pasta, top with grated Parmesan and extra basil leaves if desired, and drizzle with olive oil for extra richness.

Notes

  • For a heartier meal, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sautéed vegetables such as spinach or zucchini.
  • For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese before serving.
  • This dish can be served cold as a pasta salad; refrigerate after mixing for a couple of hours to chill.

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