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Quick Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipe with Roasted Garlic and Basil

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A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring slow-roasted garlic, burst cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner with simple ingredients and vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
  • 1 whole bulb garlic
  • A small handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 oz (225g) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or any long pasta)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap in foil or place in a small baking dish, and roast for 30-35 minutes until golden and soft. Let cool slightly.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water, then drain pasta.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to burst and soften, about 5-7 minutes. Gently press some tomatoes to encourage bursting.
  4. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves out of skins into the skillet with tomatoes. Stir and mash garlic slightly to combine. Cook for 2 more minutes.
  5. Add drained pasta and chopped basil to the skillet. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water gradually to loosen sauce and coat pasta. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan if desired. Toss once more and serve immediately warm.

Notes

Roast garlic slowly for creamy, caramelized flavor. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce and prevent dryness. Add basil at the end to preserve freshness. Use ripe cherry tomatoes for best bursting effect. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry tomato pasta, roasted garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, basil pasta, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/quick-burst-cherry-tomato-pasta-recipe-with-roasted-garlic-and-basil-easy-flavorful-dinner/