Oven-Roasted Tomato Pasta with Goat Cheese and Basil

Slow Oven Roasted Tomatoes with Pasta and Goat Cheese Recipe

Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Course: Dinner
Diet: Vegetarian

If you’re craving a simple yet flavorful Italian-inspired dish for a cozy dinner, look no further than this Slow Oven Roasted Tomatoes with Pasta and Goat Cheese recipe. The rich, caramelized roasted tomatoes blend beautifully with the creamy goat cheese, creating a comforting, savory pasta that is both filling and satisfying. Perfect for a weeknight meal, this dish requires minimal effort and packs a ton of flavor. The roasted tomatoes, infused with garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, create a velvety sauce that coats the pasta, making every bite burst with goodness. Top it all off with freshly torn basil leaves and grated goat cheese for a perfect finish. Serve it with a side of cheesy garlic bread and a crisp summer lettuce salad, and you’ve got a meal that will surely impress.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). You’ll need this temperature to roast the tomatoes and other vegetables to perfection.

2. Prepare the Roasting Tray
   Grab a large roasting tray and spread out the sliced cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves, and onions. Drizzle over the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with red chili flakes, black pepper, and a pinch of salt to taste. Give everything a good toss to ensure that all the ingredients are well coated in the seasoning and oil.

3. Roast the Vegetables
   Place the roasting tray in the oven and let it roast for 30 to 35 minutes. The tomatoes should shrink and become tender, releasing their juices and infusing the whole dish with a wonderful sweetness. Keep an eye on them, and don’t hesitate to stir the mixture halfway through to ensure even roasting.

4. Cook the Pasta
   While the vegetables are roasting, bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture (typically about 8-10 minutes). Once done, drain the pasta, reserving a ladle of the pasta cooking water for later use.

5. Mash the Roasted Veggies
   After the vegetables are done roasting, remove the tray from the oven. Use a fork or potato masher to gently mash the tomatoes, garlic, and onions together. You want a thick, mushy sauce that will coat the pasta beautifully. If the mixture seems too thick, add a ladle of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out slightly.

6. Combine the Pasta with the Roasted Veggies
   Add the cooked fusilli to the roasting tray, mixing it thoroughly with the roasted tomato sauce. The pasta will absorb the flavors of the roasted vegetables, and the sauce will cling to each twist of the fusilli.

7. Add Goat Cheese and Basil
   Sprinkle the grated goat cheese over the pasta and toss everything together gently. The heat from the pasta will melt the goat cheese, creating a creamy texture that blends perfectly with the roasted tomato sauce. Tear fresh basil leaves and add them to the mix for a burst of fresh flavor and color.

8. Serve and Enjoy
   Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and give it a final toss. Serve the Slow Oven Roasted Tomatoes with Pasta and Goat Cheese immediately while it’s still warm. For a complete meal, pair it with Cheesy Garlic Bread and a Summer Lettuce Salad to complement the rich flavors.

Additional Tips

• Customize Your Cheese: While goat cheese gives this dish a creamy and tangy finish, feel free to substitute it with feta, ricotta, or even Parmesan if you prefer a different flavor.

• Vegan Variation: For a vegan version, simply skip the goat cheese and use a dairy-free alternative, such as vegan cream cheese or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for added flavor.

• Roasting Variations: Add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant to the roasting tray to customize the dish to your liking.

Slow Oven Roasted Tomatoes with Pasta and Goat Cheese is a comforting and easy-to-make meal that brings the best of Italian flavors to your dinner table. The slow roasting intensifies the sweetness of the tomatoes, while the goat cheese adds a creamy richness that makes this dish irresistible. It’s an excellent choice for vegetarians and pasta lovers alike, providing a balance of savory and tangy flavors that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re cooking for two or scaling up for a larger group, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.