Roasted Tomato and Garlic Penne
I love this simple dinner because it's fast and filling. It's also healthy and light. Vegetarian friendly as well. It's adapted from a Rachel Ray 30 minute meal that I saw on her show and made my own. This can be made tossed or as a casserole, your choice. This feeds my family of 4 with plenty of leftovers. Special note: when roasting the tomatoes and garlic, you can cut the top off of a garlic bunch and place it cut side up on same cookie sheet, sprinkle w/olive oil, salt and pepper and roast. Once roasted, use butter knife to dig out garlic (soft and sweet) and spread on crusty bread to compliment your pasta dish. This is of course, if you are a garlic lover!
INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 1 1⁄2
- 6whole garlic cloves
- 1⁄3cup olive oil
- 1tablespoon salt
- 1tablespoon pepper
- 1
- 1⁄2 - 1
- 2
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Start your water for the pasta. Add salt to your boiling water just before adding the pasta. Cook as directions on the box imply. However, if you are going to turn this into a casserole, don't cook pasta fully.
- Wash and dry grape tomatoes. Place them on a cookie sheet. Peel garlic and place whole on same cookie sheet. Drizzel the olive oil over all, making sure all ingredients are covered. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven until the tomatoes have burst open and the garlic is soft.
- Drain pasta and set aside in large bowl.
- Once tomatoes and garlic are done pull the cookie sheet out (leave oven on if your going to make the casserole) and using a potato masher, smash the tomatoes and garlic, making a sauce. Pour over pasta and stir. Add 1/2 the cheese and mix inches Using the other half on top along with chopped basil for garnish.
- If your making a casserole. Pour the pasta, tomatoe and garlic mixture, 1/2 cheese into a baking dish. Cover the top with remaining cheese and bake until golden and bubbly. Use basil when serving for garnish.
- Serve with a green salad and crusty bread.