Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives and Capers

Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives and Capers

 

I purchase some jarred oven baked tomatoes at Costco during the holidays. I was planning to use them as part of my antipasto platter on Christmas day, but I forgot I had them. The jarred oven baked tomatoes comes in a 3-pack at Costco. They tasted pretty good and I hope they will be a regular item at Costco. Along with some kalamata olives I had remaining from Christmas, I came up with this easy, healthy and delicious pasta dish. Not only is this a great weeknight dinner, this is also a great summertime pasta dish because there is very little cooking needed. You only need to cook the pasta.

10 ounces drained (reserve the oil) Sacla Italia brand Oven Baked Tomatoes with Garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup reserved oil from the jarred Oven Baked Tomatoes OR extra-virgin olive oil (3.4 ounces)
3.0 ounces pitted kalamata olives, rinsed and drained, coarsely chopped
2.0 ounces capers, rinsed and drained, coarsely chopped
4 large garlic cloves, finely minced (0.8 ounces)
1.0 ounce basil leaves, chiffonade
Taste before adding salt to taste (you may not need salt)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound 100% whole-grain spaghetti or linguine pasta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (2.0 ounces)

In a very large bowl, combined the tomatoes, reserved oil, kalamata olives, capers, garlic, basil, salt to taste, if using and pepper. Mix until combined and set aside. Can prepare up to this point 4 to 6 hours ahead and keep tomato-olive mixture refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap. Remove bowl from the refrigerator to sit out at room temperature 1 hour before cooking the pasta.

 

Cook the whole-grain pasta in salted boiling water for about 11 to 13 minutes or al dente. Drain pasta and immediately add the hot pasta to the tomato-olive mixture. Toss everything to thoroughly combine. Toss in the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese on top and pasta is ready to eat. You can also add some toasted pine nuts, if desired.

 

Mmmmm...SO DELICIOUS...SO HEALTHY...SO EASY TO MAKE! It is delicious eaten right away, but tastes even better the next day. I can eat it cold right out of the fridge.
ENJOY!
Yield 4 to 6 servings