Campanelle with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Today we’re preparing a super simple fresh tomato sauce, a recipe that every home cook should have in their repertoire. It’s a great ‘base recipe’ that can be embellished on almost endlessly, is great for busy weeknights.

Campanelle with Fresh Tomato SaucePhoto byLiving the Gourmet

Ingredients

• 2 pints of cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 sweet onion - chopped
• 1 bunch of Italian parsley - stems removed and chopped
• 5 - 6 cloves of garlic - chopped
• 1/4 cup pine nuts - toasted
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tbs. dried oregano
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 1 1/2 tbs. capers
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 2 - 3 tbs. olive oil
• Ricotta cheese - for garnish
• 1 lb. of your favorite pasta

Instructions

1. Heat a large cast iron frying pan and place the tomatoes in the dry pan. Sprinkle the tomatoes with sugar and salt.
2. Let the tomatoes cook until they are slightly charred and blister; remove and set aside.
3. Heat the same pan with a tablespoon of olive oil and add the chopped onion and garlic and season with a sprinkle of sugar, salt, fresh ground black pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano. Sauté until the onion is softened and the garlic is fragrant.
4. Add half of the chopped parsley and the capers and toss.
5. Add the tomatoes, wine and grated cheese and simmer on a gentle heat for 10 – 12 minutes; taste for seasoning; then remove from heat and cover.
6. Toast the pine nuts in a small cast iron frying pan until they become a beautiful golden color and set aside.
7. Prepare the pasta as directed in well salted water.
8. Using a slotted spoon lift the pasta from the water and let drain; then place into the tomato sauce.
9. Place half of the toasted pine nuts into the pasta and toss.
10. Finish the dish with a scoop of ricotta cheese, fresh parsley, grated cheese, pine nuts, a drizzle of olive oil, a dash of red pepper flakes and toasted pine nuts.

**If you enjoyed today's recipe visit Living the Gourmet for more easy and delicious meals!