Denver-Style Slow-Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting pasta dish featuring slow-roasted tomatoes and fresh basil, mirroring the garden center's tomato varieties. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 160 minutes pairs pasta, plum tomatoes, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 140 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 250°F. Cut 2 lbs plum tomatoes into quarters. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/4 tsp salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 2 hours until caramelized and soft.
  2. Step 2: While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 12 oz pasta until al dente (follow package timing), reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  3. Step 3: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. Drain pasta and add to skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water.
  4. Step 4: Add roasted tomatoes and all juices to the skillet, tossing to coat pasta. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats strands. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Add more pasta water if sauce is too thick.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Denver-Style Slow-Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Denver-Style Slow-Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Denver-Style Slow-Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Denver-Style Slow-Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Denver-Style Slow-Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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