For those of us who can’t get enough of tomatoes, a dish that celebrates their sweet, tangy, and complex flavours is always welcome at the dinner table. Enter Pasta Ai 4 Pomodori, or “Pasta with 4 Tomatoes” - a vibrant pasta dish that sings with the richness of four different types of tomatoes. This recipe is perfect for making any season feel like summer, even when fresh tomatoes are out of season. Here’s how to create this tomato-packed masterpiece that brings comfort and deep flavour to your plate.
The Secret to a Flavour-Packed Sauce
The key to this dish’s exceptional depth of flavour lies in the thoughtful combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sweet plum tomatoes, and tomato paste, all brought together with fresh cherry tomatoes. The variety of tomatoes adds layers of sweetness, tang, and umami that elevate a simple pasta dish into something extraordinary.
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
500g of penne pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
100g cherry tomatoes
2 sun-dried tomatoes
400g can of sweet plum tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
50g fresh basil
Method: Step-by-Step to Tomato Heaven
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by preparing the ingredients: halve the cherry tomatoes, finely slice the sun-dried tomatoes, and peel the garlic cloves. This makes the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable.
Step 2: Flavour Infusion
In a large pan, heat about 5–6 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the whole garlic cloves and let them cook for 1–2 minutes until the oil is infused with the garlic flavor. The garlic should become fragrant but not browned, as this could make the oil bitter.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced sun-dried tomatoes to the pan. Stir and let them cook for a few minutes, allowing their flavours to meld. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for about a minute to deepen the sauce’s base. Pour in the canned sweet plum tomatoes, gently breaking them up with a spoon or your hands before adding. Don’t let any tomato go to waste - rinse out the can halfway with water and add this tomato water to the pan. This helps thin the sauce slightly while infusing it with even more tomato goodness.
Step 4: Season and Simmer
Add a generous pinch of salt and toss in most of the basil leaves, saving a few for garnish at the end. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let it thicken and the flavours fully integrate.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta water for later.
Step 6: Final Touches
Remove the garlic cloves from the sauce and crush them on a chopping board to create a puree. Stir this back into the sauce for added depth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, and if the sauce still has large lumps of tomato, crush them further.
Step 7: Combine and Serve
Add the cooked penne directly into the pan with the sauce and toss everything together over low heat. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Finish with a few more basil leaves for a touch of freshness.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
This pasta dish isn’t just food - it’s a celebration of the tomato’s versatility. From the umami of sun-dried tomatoes to the sweet, juicy burst of fresh cherry tomatoes, each bite is a harmonious blend of flavours. Whether it’s winter or summer, Pasta Ai 4 Pomodori delivers the comforting taste of tomatoes at their finest. It’s an easy, versatile recipe that transforms simple ingredients into something special - perfect for any time you’re craving a bowl of hearty, tomato-rich pasta.
@our_cookingjourney You know now that I'm a tomato addict! 🍅❤️ And this is my "pasta ai 4 pomodori" - pasta with 4 tomatoes! 🙌 It's a great recipe if you are looking for a delicious and very rich tomato sauce recipe even when tomato season is over! The real flavour comes from the other 3 preserved tomatoes - the sun-dried tomatoes, sweet plum tomatoes and tomato paste give this dish such an incredible depth of flavour making it a delicious tomato pasta dish even during winter! If fresh tomatoes are not in season in your country right now, feel free to leave them out and replace them with some more tinned sweet plum tomatoes. Here is the ingredients list 👇 Or you can find the full written recipe on my website (link in bio) Makes 4 portions 500g of penne pasta Extra virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves 100g cherry tomatoes 2 sun-dried tomatoes 400g can of sweet plum tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato paste 50g fresh basil #learning #italianfood #italianrecipe #veganrecipe #vegan #recipeshare #vegetarian #italiancuisine #meatfree #tomato #penne #bestpasta #pasta #italianfood #preserve ♬ original sound - Francesco Mattana
