Casarecce with roasted tomatoes and burrata

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The tomatoes are roasted before having the pasta mixed through to bring through the juices and add an exceptional flavour.

Ingredients

Serves 3

Preparation 10min

Cooking 35min

  • 600 g 1 1/2 lbs heirloom tomatoes, some halved or quartered, some left whole

  • 300 g 14 1/2 ounces canned tomatoes or passata

  • 3-4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve

  • 1 garlic head, cut in half

  • 125 ml (½ cup) dry white wine (or white balsamic vinegar or verjuice for a non-alcohol version)

  • 1-2 red chillies (optional)

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 250 g 8.8 oz casarecce

  • 1 burrata

  • small handful basil leaves, to serve

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 350F

2. Mix all the ingredients except the pasta, burrata and basil in a large roasting dish (I normally serve the pasta in the same oven dish so make sure it’s big enough to accommodate the cooked pasta as well). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tomatoes are slightly blistered and very juicy.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve a few tablespoons of pasta cooking water.

4. Take the dish out of the oven, mash a few of the soft garlic cloves with a fork into the sauce and discard the skins. Add the cooked pasta and toss through, adding a little pasta water, if needed. Tear the burrata and add it to the pasta, then top with a grind black pepper, a good drizzle of olive oil and the basil leaves.

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