Mains / Weeknight

Roasted Tomato Pasta

A hot oven concentrates even modest tomatoes into a sweet, rich sauce. Toss them with the pasta while both are hot so every crag catches the garlicky juices.

Twisted pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, and grated cheese

Image: Demonstration artwork

Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Total50 min
MakesServes 4

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
  • 12 ounces short pasta
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves
  • Crushed red pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 425 F. Combine the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and salt in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Roast until the tomatoes split and their juices thicken, about 25 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in well-salted water until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  3. Add the hot pasta and 1/2 cup pasta water to the baking dish. Toss vigorously, crushing some tomatoes, until the sauce coats the pasta. Add more pasta water if needed.
  4. Fold in the Parmesan and basil. Finish with crushed red pepper and serve immediately.