Baked Cherry Tomatoes with Pasta

Baked Cherry Tomatoes with Pasta

Butter for greasing pan
2 cups (12 ounces) red cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 cups (12 ounces) yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
¼ cup capers, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
½ teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for seasoning
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
½ cup Italian-style seasoned breadcrumbs
1 pound ziti or other short tubed-shaped pasta
1 ¼ cups (2 ½ ounces) Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.

Place the tomatoes, capers, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper in the prepared baking dish. Toss to coat. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the tomato mixture. Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.

Place the pasta in a large serving bowl.  Spoon the tomato mixture onto the pasta. Add the cheese and toss well.  Thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.

Notes:  You can find breadcrumbs made from rice as well as brown rice pasta if you want to make a gluten-free version of this dish. 

Recipe from Giada De Laurentis, http://www.foodnetwork.com/