Creamy Roasted Tomato Cheddar Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 oz bow tie pasta (cooked until al dente)
• 4.5 ripe tomatoes (halved; 4-5 tomatoes)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves (smashed)
• 0.75 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded)
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 1 tbsp butter
• fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• salt (to taste)
• cracked black pepper (to taste, plus extra for finishing)
• red pepper flakes (optional pinch)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. 2

   Add 8 oz bow tie pasta and cook until al dente.

3. 3

   Save ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.

4. 4

   In a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.

5. 5

   Add the halved tomatoes cut side down into the skillet along with the 4 smashed garlic cloves.

6. 6

   Let the tomatoes blister and caramelize for about 5–6 minutes until soft and jammy.

7. 7

   Lower the heat slightly and begin gently pressing the tomatoes down with a spoon to create a rustic sauce.

8. 8

   Stir in 1 tbsp butter, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp paprika, salt, pepper, and an optional pinch of red pepper flakes.

9. 9

   Pour in ¾ cup heavy cream and let everything simmer for 2 minutes until creamy.

10. 10

    Lower the heat and slowly stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar and ¼ cup parmesan cheese until melted and glossy.

11. 11

    Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.

12. 12

    Toss in the cooked pasta and coat everything until silky and creamy.

13. 13

    Finish the dish with chopped fresh basil, extra black pepper, and more parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Ensure you use freshly shredded cheddar for the best melting results; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• vegetarian
• easy dinner
• comfort food
• stovetop