Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

Enjoy the bright flavours of this delicious Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta. Al Dente pasta is tossed with roasted tomatoes for a simple to prepare meal. It is so tasty, with minimal effort involved!

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• Why we love this recipe:
• Ingredients in this recipe:
• Step by Step Instructions:
• Tips for Success and FAQs:
• When it comes to serving:
• More delicious recipes for you to try:
• Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

My Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta is a dish that I make often. It’s quickly and easily put together, ideal for days when you don’t have the time to slowly simmer a sauce or when you prefer a lighter meal, one which won’t weigh you down.

Don’t be misled by the simplicity of this recipe. The sauce is light and yet full of fresh flavour. It is a versatile dish; you can serve it alone as a meat-free meal, or on the side of meat or poultry.

In a baking pan, I roast cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, some herbs and spices. I roast the tomatoes until they are tender and slightly charred and while they are roasting, I heat a pot of water and cook the spaghetti. It doesn’t come much easier than that.

Why we love this recipe:

This is a meal which can be enjoyed by many. It is naturally vegetarian, can be gluten-free with the appropriate choice of pasta or can be suitable for vegans if served without cheese or with vegan cheese.

Also, the simple flavours mean that it is a meal which is suitable for most, if not all, the family.

This is the recipe we turn to when we want a fresh tomato sauce, with the flavours of summer, that we can enjoy year-round.

Tomatoes in general are at peak season with maximum flavour during summer.  Whilst they may look good in winter, their flavour is generally dull and disappointing.

Cherry tomatoes, on the other hand, have a higher ratio of sugar to flesh and they are the best option during winter.

As the sweet cherry tomatoes burst and caramelise in the olive oil they create a sauce that is full of fresh flavours and a perfect topping for pasta. The flavours and the colours immediately identify the dish as having Italian origins.

Roasting is a great way to improve less than ideal tomatoes, be it during winter or at any other time of the year. It concentrates their flavour, enhancing their natural sweetness.

Also, cooking tomatoes improves their nutritional value. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Scientific studies have discovered the increased nutritional benefit which is obtained by cooking tomatoes. The studies have shown that the human body can absorb more lycopene from a cooked tomato than a raw tomato.

As well, tomatoes which are cooked with olive oil have an even higher nutritional absorption rate. This is one of the many benefits of the Mediterranean diet where tomatoes are often cooked in olive oil.

Although this is a simple recipe, sometimes the simplest dishes make the best meals.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Pasta – we have used spaghetti on this occasion, but any pasta of your choice is fine. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente – “firm to the bite”.

Garlic – use fresh garlic, not from a jar or powder.

Olive Oil – Extra Virgin Olive Oil has the best flavour, and is my preference for this dish (and almost all Mediterranean dishes!)

Salt and Pepper – season the dish to your taste with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.

Sugar – A little sugar counteracts the natural acidity of the tomatoes. A small amount really brings excellent balance to this dish.

Dried Oregano – In most cases, I tend to prefer to use fresh herbs, however, I love the flavour of dried oregano. The dried herb has a flavour that is more subtle. It complements other flavours rather than dominating them.

Fresh Basil – Basil and tomatoes are one of those flavour combinations that just work so well.

I have even heard that they love to be planted near each other in the garden. It is said that basil helps repel insects and improves the growth and flavour of tomatoes.

Cherry Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are ideal for roasting. The flavour intensifies beautifully when roasted.

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Prepare your tomatoes – wash and dry them thoroughly. Cut the tomatoes in half or thirds, depending on their size.
2. Add the tomatoes to a non-reactive pan, and toss in olive oil. Spread them out into one layer and sprinkle with the minced garlic, half the basil leaves, dried oregano, sugar, salt and pepper.
3. Roast for 30-40 minutes, until the tomatoes are collapsing and slightly charred.
4. Cook your pasta to al dente (reserve some pasta water), and toss through the tomatoes in the same dish you roasted them in. Add a little pasta water if you require more liquid.

Tips for Success and FAQs:

Please do not rinse your cooked pasta; the rinsing removes precious starches from the sauce. As the pasta cooks, it releases starch into the cooking water.

I recommend that you always set aside a small cup of the cooking liquid. Add it to the pan with the combined pasta and tomatoes to help the sauce amalgamate.

For such a simple recipe, it is important to use the best ingredients. For the best flavour, your tomatoes should be very ripe.

When it comes to serving:

Serve the roasted cherry tomatoes with the pasta of your choice, and top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

All you need for a complete meal, quickly and easily prepared, is to add a loaf of crusty bread for mopping up the delicious juices and a mixed salad on the side.

More delicious recipes for you to try:

Our Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta is one of our favourite ways to enjoy tomatoes. If you love using tomatoes in your recipes also, be sure to try these other delicious recipes:

• Marinated Tomato Salad
• Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
• Crispy Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
• Caprese Bread Tartlets
• Spinach and Feta Galettes

Also, if you’re after another taste of the Mediterranean, let these recipes inspire you:

• Roasted Olives
• Gnocchi alla Romana
• Easy Spelt Focaccia
• Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Shells
• Pumpkin and Ricotta Pasta Shells
• Preserved Chillies in Oil
• Eggplant Involtini
• Olive and Rosemary Focaccia
• Roasted Red Peppers (Capsicums)
  

If you are looking for lighter meals with healthier ingredients I am certain this recipe will become a family favourite. It is the perfect example that simple meals, which are quickly and easily prepared, are often the best.

Please let me know when you try this delicious Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta. I hope you’ll find as much comfort in this easy and tasty recipe as we do! Enjoy!

Alex xx