Print

Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe

4.5 from 106 reviews

A flavorful and easy-to-make Roasted Tomato Garlic Pasta that combines blistered cherry tomatoes and soft roasted garlic with al dente pasta, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a simple yet elegant meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Tomato and Garlic

  • 1 pound of cherry tomatoes
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)

Pasta and Garnish

  • 1 pound of pasta (spaghetti or your choice)
  • 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat 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, place them in a large mixing bowl. Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves.
  3. Season Tomatoes: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the tomatoes, add salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, toss all together to coat evenly.
  4. Arrange for Roasting: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread tomatoes in a single layer and place the garlic head cut side up on the same sheet. Drizzle garlic with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
  5. Roast: Roast tomatoes and garlic in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes are blistered and garlic is soft.
  6. Cook Pasta: While roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining; do not rinse pasta.
  7. Cool and Mash: Let roasted tomatoes and garlic cool slightly. Squeeze garlic cloves into a large mixing bowl, add roasted tomatoes and juices, gently mash together using a fork or potato masher.
  8. Mix Sauce: Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, optional balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the bowl with the sauce, toss to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
  10. Add Fresh Basil: Fold chopped fresh basil into the pasta mixture.
  11. Serve: Serve pasta in bowls topped with grated Parmesan cheese and extra basil leaves if desired. Drizzle with additional olive oil for extra flavor.

Notes

  • You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as penne or fettuccine instead of spaghetti.
  • Red pepper flakes are optional; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
  • Reserve pasta water helps to create a silky sauce consistency, so don’t forget to save some before draining.
  • Fresh basil adds brightness; substitute with fresh parsley if unavailable.
  • For a vegan version, omit Parmesan or use a plant-based cheese alternative.

Keywords: roasted tomato pasta, garlic pasta, easy Italian recipe, vegetarian pasta, simple dinner recipe, roasted garlic sauce