Roasted Cherry Tomato Creste di Gallo with Stracciatella & Breadcrumbs

Ingredients

• 0.5 lb creste di gallo or other short pasta
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• 5 garlic cloves (sliced)
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil (for roasting tomatoes)
• sea salt (to taste)
• 0.5 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (finely grated)
• 0.33 cup basil (chiffonade)
• 4 oz stracciatella or burrata
• pasta water (as needed)
• 0.5 cup plain panko breadcrumbs (for the topping)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for the breadcrumbs)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 0.5 lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lemon)
• 0.25 tsp salt (for the breadcrumbs)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   In a baking dish, combine 2 pints of cherry tomatoes, 4-5 sliced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt to taste. Toss to coat.

3. 3

   Roast the tomatoes in the oven until they burst and become slightly charred, approximately 20-25 minutes.

4. 4

   While the tomatoes roast, prepare the breadcrumbs. In a small skillet over medium heat, add 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 cup plain panko breadcrumbs.

5. 5

   Add 1 minced garlic clove and 1/4 tsp salt to the skillet. Toast, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

6. 6

   Remove the breadcrumbs from the heat and stir in the juice of 1/2 lemon. Set aside.

7. 7

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1/2 lb creste di gallo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

8. 8

   Add the cooked pasta directly into the roasted tomato mixture. Add 1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano and a splash of the reserved pasta water.

9. 9

   Toss everything together until the cheese has melted and the pasta is well coated in a glossy sauce, adding more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.

10. 10

    Top the pasta with 4 oz of stracciatella (or torn burrata), 1/3 cup of the lemon-garlic panko breadcrumbs, and 1/3 cup basil chiffonade.

11. 11

    Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

If you cannot find stracciatella, burrata is an excellent substitute; simply tear it open to reveal the creamy center before topping the pasta.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• vegetarian
• roasted
• summer
• dinner