Imagine a pasta dish so incredibly rich and aromatic that it transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. This Slow Roasted Tomato Basil Pasta isn't just a meal - it's a sensory journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy. With a magical technique of slow-roasting cherry tomatoes, we'll unlock depths of flavor that will make your dinner guests wonder if you've been secretly trained by a Michelin-starred chef.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb pasta
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). This low temperature will help the tomatoes to slowly roast and develop a rich flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the tomatoes are well-coated with the olive oil and seasonings.
- Spread the seasoned tomatoes and garlic mixture evenly on a large baking sheet. Make sure the tomatoes are in a single layer for even roasting.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the tomatoes for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until they are soft, shriveled, and caramelized. Stir the tomatoes halfway through the roasting time to ensure even cooking.
- While the tomatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- When the tomatoes are done roasting, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Use a fork or a potato masher to gently mash the tomatoes to create a chunky sauce.
- Add the drained pasta to the bowl with the roasted tomatoes. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Stir in the chopped fresh basil and mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Serve the Slow Roasted Tomato Basil Pasta warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese to taste. Enjoy your delicious Italian dish!
Tips
- Choose ripe, vibrant cherry tomatoes for the most intense flavor development during roasting.
- Use a low and slow oven temperature (300°F) to caramelize tomatoes without burning them.
- Don't skip stirring the tomatoes midway through roasting to ensure even caramelization.
- Reserve pasta water is crucial - it helps create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every pasta strand.
- Fresh basil added at the end provides a bright, fresh contrast to the deep, roasted tomato flavors.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes - while spaghetti works great, penne or fusilli can also catch the roasted tomato sauce beautifully.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 5mg
