Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes
Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes is a delightful and vibrant dish that combines the rich flavors of homemade pesto and sweet, caramelized cherry tomatoes. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely dinners with friends. In just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, you can create a meal that feels gourmet yet is incredibly simple to prepare. The fresh basil and roasted tomatoes bring a burst of flavor that will impress your family and friends, making it an instant favorite at the dinner table. With its versatility, you can easily adapt this dish by adding proteins or greens for a nutritious boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (rigatoni or your choice)
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1/2 cup pine nuts (or walnuts/cashews)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast (for a dairy-free option)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for tomatoes)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a baking sheet, toss halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes until soft.
- While tomatoes roast, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta with pesto and roasted tomatoes. If needed, add reserved pasta water for consistency.
- Serve warm with extra garnishes like fresh basil or additional nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Find it online: https://cookingwhisper.com/pesto-pasta-with-roasted-tomatoes/