Save 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.
This dish reminds me of summer evenings spent with family enjoying fresh Italian food together.
What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔
Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.
Free. No spam. Just easy meals.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes: 600 g cherry tomatoes halved
- Garlic: 4 cloves peeled and smashed
- Red onion: 1 small thinly sliced (optional)
- Extra-virgin olive oil: 60 ml (1/4 cup)
- Pasta: 350 g dried pasta (penne fusilli or spaghetti)
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Chili flakes: 1/2 tsp (optional)
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Fresh basil leaves: 15 g (1/4 cup) torn
- Cheese: 60 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan or Pecorino (optional)
Tired of Takeout? 🥡
Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.
One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare baking dish:
- 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.
- Roast tomatoes:
- Roast in the oven for 25 30 minutes or until the tomatoes are caramelized and bursting.
- Cook pasta:
- 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.
- Combine pasta and tomatoes:
- 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.
- Add basil and cheese:
- Fold in fresh basil and half the cheese (if using) Adjust seasoning.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately garnished with remaining cheese and extra basil.
Save We love gathering around the table to enjoy this pasta recipe on warm weekend nights.
Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇
Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.
Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.
Preparation and Cooking Times
Preparation time is 10 minutes with a cooking time of 35 minutes for a total of 45 minutes.
Nutritional Information
Each serving contains approximately 440 calories 14 g total fat 65 g carbohydrates and 12 g protein.
Additional Tips
Pairs beautifully with crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio for a perfect meal experience.
Save 
This recipe is a quick and flavorful way to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at home.
Kitchen Questions
- → How do I prevent the pasta from drying out?
Reserve some pasta cooking water and add it to the baking dish when mixing pasta and roasted tomatoes; this creates a silky, cohesive sauce.
- → What pasta types work best for this dish?
Penne, fusilli, and spaghetti all hold the sauce well and complement the texture of the roasted tomatoes.
- → Can I make this dish vegan?
Yes, simply omit the cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative to keep it vegan-friendly.
- → What herbs enhance the flavor profile?
Fresh basil adds brightness, while dried oregano offers earthy, Mediterranean notes; chili flakes provide a mild heat if desired.
- → How do I achieve perfectly roasted tomatoes?
Arrange halved cherry tomatoes with garlic and olive oil in a baking dish, season well, then roast at 200°C (400°F) for 25–30 minutes until caramelized and bursting.
