Description
This Sweet Garlic Tomato & Basil Casarecce is a luscious Italian pasta dish featuring slow-roasted garlic cloves in olive oil, combined with a rich tomato and Parmesan sauce. Tossed with creamy butter and finished with fresh burrata and fragrant basil, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1/2 lb. casarecce pasta
Roasted Garlic
- 2 bulbs of garlic
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (approximate, for roasting garlic)
- Salt to taste
Sauce
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter (divided)
- 28 oz. tomato passata
- 1 Parmesan rind
- Salt to taste
- Reserved garlic-infused olive oil (from roasted garlic)
To Serve
- 8 oz. burrata
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Peel the cloves from 2 garlic bulbs and place them in an oven-safe baking dish. Pour enough extra virgin olive oil to fully submerge the cloves and season with salt to taste. Roast uncovered for 45 minutes until the cloves are soft and lightly golden.
- Mash the Garlic: Remove the garlic from the oven and mash the soft cloves with a fork. Set aside the mashed garlic and reserve the garlic-infused olive oil for use in the sauce.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to bubble and turn a light caramel brown. Add the tomato passata, mashed garlic, Parmesan rind, reserved garlic-infused olive oil, and salt to taste. Stir well and let simmer over low heat for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the casarecce pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 3/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the Parmesan rind from the sauce and remove the pot from heat. In a large sauté pan, add the cooked pasta, remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, and 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss gently over medium heat, adding more pasta water in 1/4 cup increments until the sauce reaches the desired consistency and evenly coats the pasta.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top each serving with a generous portion of burrata, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.
Notes
- Roasting the garlic slowly in olive oil mellows its flavor and adds depth to the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and blend the sauce with the pasta for a creamy texture.
- You can substitute burrata with fresh mozzarella if burrata is unavailable.
- Removing the Parmesan rind after simmering ensures flavor without adding a hard texture to the sauce.
- Adjust salt to taste carefully as Parmesan rind and butter add saltiness.
