Tomato Pasta

This is hands down my families favorite dish I make. It is my own recipe I have tweaked and perfected over time. Its a dish that over the Summer months is requested weekly. Before we moved to our new home we had two huge garden boxes and they might as well been called our tomato boxes because the only thing we grew in them were grape and cherry tomatoes and basil, to support our habit of making this unbelievably fresh pasta dish.

Not only is this dish amazing because it tastes so fresh and yummy, it takes little to no effort which in a household like mine is basically a requirement to dinner on most nights. So why am I posting this dish in the middle of winter you may ask, well because frankly the kids are sick of the stews, soups, crock pot meals, and after the holidays all the heavy foods, and if Im being honest so am I! So when my youngest begged for two days for me to make this it didn't take long for me to agree. I hope you enjoy this one, I know it wont take long for it to become a family favorite in your home too!

What do you need:

4-5 containers of grape or cherry tomatoes ( i have never figured the difference so who cares)

Olive oil

1 package of fresh basil or a full handful from the garden

Garlic a lot ( i use jared garlic because its never failed me feel free to use fresh but i use 6 teaspoons)

Salt and Pepper

Parmesan Cheese to taste

1 lb cavatappi noodles

Take cherry tomatoes and place on baking sheet cover tomatoes in generous amount of olive oil and garlic. Salt and pepper tomatoes. Place in oven at 425 for 15-20 min until tomatoes are splitting and juicy looking.

Cook noodles according to package directions. Al dente is preferred. Save 1/2 cup of the boiling water from the pasta and set aside. (DON'T FORGET TO DO THIS!!! It helps make the sauce saucy!!!)

ALL RIGHT OLIVE OIL, S&P, GARLIC GET THEM IN THE OVEN!!!

THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW YOUR "MATTERS" HAVE REACHED THAT POINT OF AMAZING NO RETURN GOODNESS----- TIME TO MASH THEM UP!!!!!

Chop the Basil by stacking all the leaves in to one pile and rolling them and then slicing the basil roll.

When the tomatoes are done cooking place them in a bowl large enough for you to be able to mash and serve in. Mash tomatoes with potato masher, when sauce consistency add basil and 1/4-1/2 water when sauce is nice consistency add cheese to flavor and save rest to put on table.

Mix Sauce and noodles in a bowl and top with a little more parmesan cheese, and serve. I serve mine with grilled chicken! Thats how my family likes it. You could serve with fish or really anything your family loves. This pasta will bring anyone together!

Happy PASTA SUNDAY FEASTING ALL!!! XOXOXO