My cherry tomato plants really took off at the end of summer, and I still have tons of them to use. This tortellini with cherry tomato basil sauce sauce just might be my new favorite comfort food!
I made this sauce in the oven to reduce the hands on time. It could also be made on the stove top, but in my experience, it takes just as much time to reduce that many tomatoes into a thick and luscious sauce!
If you are looking for a roasted tomato sauce, check out this roasted cherry tomato pasta recipe. It calls for spreading the tomatoes out onto a baking sheet so that their liquid will evaporate.
Variations to the Tortellini with Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce recipe:
- I used both fresh and dried basil in this recipe, because I used what I had on hand. You could use all fresh if you have it available.
- Make it into a soup. Thin out the sauce with some broth, and make a tomato and tortellini soup! (I would probably add some onions as well to make a soup, just saying)
- Try it with another type of tomato. Cherry tomatos are sweet and make a really luscious sauce, but other tomatos, such as romas, would work as well. Simply add sugar or honey to taste.
- Make it vegan. Use a rottini pasta in place of the tortellini.
Tortellini with Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Entree
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 TBS olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flake
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 19 oz package cheese tortellini
- Fresh basil and Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 F.
- In a baking dish, stir together tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Stir in basil, thyme, and red pepper flake. Bake another 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove about a 1/4 cup of liquid from the tomatoes. Whisk cornstarch into the liquid and stir it into the tomatoes. Return it to the oven for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions.
- Toss tortellini with tomatoes.Serve garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired
We made this sauce tonight. WOW! So great in the oven, and it was thick enough. It was very flavorful. Thanks for posting! Ellen
Thanks for letting us know how much you enjoyed the recipe!
I can’t wait to try cooking them down in the oven! Great idea.