Pappardelle Pasta with Pan-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Capers

There’s only one rule for summer cooking, as far as we’re concerned. If it involves a lot of effort, it’s a hard pass. This dish, on the other hand, offers maximum deliciousness for next to no effort. The natural juiciness from the tomatoes actually saves you a step and creates the sauce all by itself.

Even better: It’s vegan. The salty capers cover the umami you expect from a grating of Parm. (Though if you give it a little dusting of cheese, no one will hold it against you.) And don’t feel pressure to stick with pappardelle. Any long noodle works, but if you try it with a bowtie or fusilli you won’t be disappointed.

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Pappardelle Pasta with Pan-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Capers

• Author: Misfits Market

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Description

We love the long, flat profile of pappardelle for this dish but the simple ingredients work with just about any noodle you’ve got on hand. It’s best served hot but is also delicious at room temperature.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 16-ounce package pappardelle pasta
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes (grape tomatoes also work)
• 3 tablespoons capers
• 2 small onions, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly-cracked pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley sprigs

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Instructions

1. Cook pasta in a large pot according to package instructions (al dente is preferred). Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and shock the noodles in cold water. Set aside.
2. Add olive oil, tomatoes, capers, and onions to a large pan over medium heat. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and the tomatoes start to blister and loosen.
3. Add in the garlic, salt, and pepper and stir. Cook for an additional minute.
4. Transfer the pasta into the pan and gently mix to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce if necessary. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Is a caper an olive?

Capers look like tiny olives that have been pickled in brine or oil. You may even think they look like a little seed or vegetable. The caper is actually none of these things. It is a tiny flower bud from a plant called the caper bush. These buds are immature and are picked before they have a chance to bloom. The caper bush is found all over the Mediterranean, and that is why you find capers in so many recipes from this part of the world. They make a great pairing for dishes containing lemon, salmon, tomato, eggplant, and smoked fish. Adding capers into your cooking is sure to take it to the next level!