Baked Tomato Olive Oil Pasta

A vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant olive oil, tossed with al dente pasta for a simple yet elegant meal.

Ingredients

• Vegetables: 600 g cherry tomatoes, halved 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
• Oils & Condiments: 60 ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
• Pasta: 350 g dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
• Herbs & Seasoning: 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 15 g (1/4 cup) fresh basil leaves, torn
• Cheese (optional): 60 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan or Pecorino

Instructions

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2:

Arrange the cherry tomatoes, garlic, and red onion (if using) in a large baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 3:

Roast in the oven for 25 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are caramelized and bursting.

Step 4:

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 ml (1/2 cup) of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

Step 5:

Add the drained pasta to the baking dish with the roasted tomatoes. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.

Step 6:

Fold in fresh basil and half the cheese (if using). Adjust seasoning.

Step 7:

Serve immediately, garnished with remaining cheese and extra basil.

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Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What pasta types work best for this dish?

Short pastas like penne or fusilli and long varieties such as spaghetti all hold the sauce well, allowing the roasted tomato juices to coat each piece evenly.

→ Can I omit cheese without compromising flavor?

Yes, skipping cheese makes the dish vegan-friendly while still delivering rich flavor from roasted tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.

→ How does roasting tomatoes affect the taste?

Roasting intensifies their natural sweetness and adds a caramelized depth, which enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

→ Is it necessary to reserve pasta cooking water?

Yes, adding pasta water helps create a silky sauce by blending starch with olive oil and tomato juices, ensuring a smooth coating.

→ Can I add other ingredients to this dish?

Olives, capers, or chili flakes can be included to introduce additional Mediterranean notes and a touch of heat.