Slow-Roasted Garlic and Tomato Ragu with Pappardelle
A rich, slow-roasted tomato sauce infused with caramelized garlic, served over broad pappardelle noodles for a comforting Italian meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 90 minutes pairs ripe plum tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 800 g ripe plum tomatoes
- 8 cloves whole garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 medium, finely diced carrot
- 1 medium, finely diced celery stalk
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 12 leaves, torn fresh basil leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 400 g pappardelle pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place 800 g ripe plum tomatoes and 8 whole garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt. Roast for 45 minutes until tomatoes are soft and garlic is caramelized.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, 1 finely diced carrot, and 1 finely diced celery stalk. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Remove roasted tomatoes and garlic from oven, then add them to the saucepan, squeezing the softened garlic out of skins. Stir in 1 tsp dried oregano, 12 torn fresh basil leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 4: While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 400 g pappardelle pasta and cook for 6-8 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 5: Toss pasta with the tomato ragu, adding reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time to loosen sauce if needed. Serve topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Garlic and Tomato Ragu with Pappardelle take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Slow-Roasted Garlic and Tomato Ragu with Pappardelle?
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 ripe plum tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Garlic and Tomato Ragu with Pappardelle?
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 Slow-Roasted Garlic and Tomato Ragu with Pappardelle for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Slow-Roasted Garlic and Tomato Ragu with Pappardelle vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
