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Sweet Garlic Tomato & Basil Casarecce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 63 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A rich and comforting Sweet Garlic Tomato & Basil Casarecce recipe featuring roasted garlic, a flavorful tomato passata sauce infused with Parmesan, and creamy burrata, garnished with fresh basil and olive oil. Perfectly cooked al dente pasta is tossed in a luscious buttery sauce enhanced by garlic-infused olive oil for a hearty Italian-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Garlic Roasting

  • 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)

Pasta and Garnish

  • 1/2 lb casarecce pasta
  • 3/4 cup reserved pasta water (approximate)
  • 8 oz burrata
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

  • When roasting garlic, make sure cloves are fully submerged in olive oil to ensure even roasting and flavor infusion.
  • Reserve pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency for a silky texture.
  • The Parmesan rind adds depth of flavor but is not meant to be eaten; remove before serving.
  • Use fresh burrata for the best creamy texture contrasting with the rich tomato sauce.
  • Fresh basil adds aromatic freshness, so add just before serving to preserve flavor and color.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/sweet-garlic-tomato-and-basil-casarecce-recipe-2/