
This is a very simple Sicilian dish that is made with pantry staples. If you like spaghetti with garlic and oil you will love this dish. It has the addition of roasted tomatoes in breadcrumbs that adds a flavor bomb with each bite. And the toasted breadcrumbs adds a little texture to the dish.
In Sicily, not every pasta dish is covered in a heavy tomato sauce. We love to add vegetables to pasta, most notably eggplant and zucchini. Fresh tomatoes is also a favorite. The garlic and oil form the sauce’s base. Roasted tomatoes add a garden freshness to it. Sicilians also love to add toasted breadcrumbs to many dishes. They go great on vegetables, and fish and especially fresh clams. This recipe ties it all together.
When I was in Sicily as a teenager, I loved the simple dish of macaroni. It had a light tomato sauce and a couple of slices of fried eggplant placed over it. Nothing fancy but the marriage of eggplant and macaroni is outstanding. This recipe reminds me of that.
I use a half pound of pasta in this recipe. If you are using a full pound just add extra tomatoes and olive oil. Add as much garlic as you like. You can never add too much garlic.
- 1 container of ripe cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 3/4 cups Italian flavored bread crumbs
- 1/4 of extra virgin olive oil
- salt to taste
- 1/2 pound spaghetti
- for the sauce, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3-4 gloves of garlic, or as much as your heart desires, thinly sliced
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of hot red pepper flakes, or to taste.
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano grated cheese
Place the halved tomatoes in a medium size bowl and add the olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and salt to taste. Mix everything well. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the tomato mixture in a single layer on the sheet.
Preheat the oven to 375. Bake the tomatoes for 30 – 40 minutes. Continue until the breadcrumbs are browned and crispy.
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water. Cook the spaghetti about 1 minute less than the package directions. About four minutes before the pasta is done, add the olive oil to a large skillet. Place on medium high heat. Add the sliced garlic and hot pepper flakes. Cook for a minute. Before the garlic turns brown add two full ladles off the pasta water. Be careful adding the water to the hot oil, it creates a sizzle. Stir everything together. When the pasta is done, lift it out of the water and place directly into the skillet.Turn the heat up to high. Add the torn basil leaves and mix everything well. Cook the pasta this way for about 1 or 2 more minutes. The starch from the pasta will thicken the sauce. Taste the spaghetti for the al dente you prefer.
Scrape the roasted tomatoes off of the parchment and at the last minute add to the pasta. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the Pecorino Romano cheese. Toss everything gently and serve. You can add extra cheese if you like.




































