Serves 4
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 15–20 minutes
500 g (1 lb) cherry tomatoes, halved
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped thyme leaves
4 garlic cloves, sliced
pinch of crushed dried chillies
400 g (13 oz) dried pasta
1 bunch of basil leaves, torn
125 g (4 oz) ricotta cheese, crumbled
salt and black pepper
Put the tomatoes in a roasting tin with the oil, thyme, garlic and chillies, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a preheated oven, 200°C (400°F), Gas Mark 6, for 15–20 minutes until the tomatoes have softened and released their juices.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water according to the packet instructions until al dente. Drain and return to the pan.
Stir the tomatoes with all their pan juices and most of the basil leaves into the pasta and toss gently until combined. Season with salt and pepper and spoon into serving bowls.
Chop the remaining basil, mix into the ricotta and season with salt and pepper. Spoon into a small dish for guests to spoon on to the pasta.
For roasted tomato & goats’ cheese sauce, replace the ricotta with 125 g (4 oz) crumbly goats’ cheese. This piquant, herb-scented dish goes well with pasta verde, spinach-flavoured pasta shapes.