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Bursting Balsamic Tomato Confit Pasta Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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This Bursting Balsamic Tomato Confit Pasta is a weeknight miracle. Cherry tomatoes are slow-roasted in olive oil and balsamic until jammy, then tossed with pasta for a sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious meal that tastes like you spent all day cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) cherry or grape tomatoes
  • ½ cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, smashed
  • ¼ cup (10g) packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, or to taste)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound (450g) pasta (spaghetti, bucatini, linguine, rigatoni, or penne)
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Fill a large pot with water and set it over high heat to boil.
  2. In a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, smashed garlic cloves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red pepper flakes (if using), and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Toss to coat and spread in a single layer.
  3. Roast the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes, until they have burst and wrinkled, and the oil is bubbling gently.
  4. About 10 minutes into roasting, add a generous tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of starchy pasta water.
  5. Drain the pasta (do not rinse) and add it directly to the baking dish with the burst tomatoes. Add the fresh basil and about ¼ cup of reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously with tongs or a wooden spoon until the tomatoes break down into a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with more fresh basil, a drizzle of the leftover oil, and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps emulsify the sauce. Use a good quality olive oil as it’s a major flavor component. Smash garlic cloves whole to infuse flavor without burning. Start checking tomatoes at 20 minutes to avoid over-roasting. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: balsamic tomato confit pasta, easy pasta dinner, 30-minute meal, cherry tomato pasta, weeknight dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/bursting-balsamic-tomato-confit-pasta-easy-30-minute-dinner/