One of our all time favorite recipes got a makeover just in time for tomato season - say hello to Tomato Confit Pasta!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I've been making tomato confit for the past 12 years! It comes to us by way of one of Matt's best friends and I will forever be indebted to her for introducing me to Tomato Confit. I, of course, have turned it into just about everything under the sun from tarts to pasta to a sauce etc. It's so versatile and when tomato season is going full tilt, this Tomato Confit Pasta is it!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cherry Tomatoes – You can substitute cherry tomatoes for heirloom tomatoes just cut them down into smaller pieces.
- Olive Oil – Make sure to use a good quality olive oil for this recipe.
- Saffron – You can buy it at Trader Joes for $5.99 or you can splurge on some from your favorite local spice market! I use it so sparingly that I tend to splurge because the amped up flavor from the saffron really makes a difference. I just used up my last little bit I brought home from Morocco. I feel another trip coming on...
- Salt & Pepper – Feel free to adjust to taste.
- Pasta - duh!
*For full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below
How to make Tomato Confit Pasta
Step 1: Start by placing your tomatoes and olive oil over medium high heat.
Step 2: Add the saffron and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Once the oil starts to get hot, and the tomatoes start to blister, reduce the heat and let simmer for an hour stirring every 10 minutes.
Step 4: After about an hour, the tomatoes should be falling apart. Remove them from the heat and let cool in the skillet for about 20 minutes before serving. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about ¾ cup of the pasta water once cooked and add to the tomato confit, stir everything into the pasta.
Tips & Tricks
Low and slow is the secret to making jammy Tomato Confit Pasta. Once the oil starts to get hot, and the tomatoes start to blister, reduce the heat and let simmer for an hour stirring every 10 minutes.
I'll eat this roasted cherry tomato confit on just about everything. Toasted pita bread, yes. Grilled bread with a shmear of fresh ricotta cheese, yes. On top of grilled chicken or salmon, yes. Beef kebabs, yes. Quinoa, farro, risotto... yes, yes and yes. I mean the list goes on. It's quite possibly the most amazing condiment ever invented and you need massive quantities of it in your life from here on out. But in this Tomato Confit Pasta - it is PERFECTION!
FAQs
How to store tomato confit?
The best Tomato Confit storage container needs to be airtight. I like to use these Glass Storage Containers.
How long does tomato confit last?
Tomato confit will last for up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze it for up to 3 months in ice cube trays for single serving easy use.
Can you freeze tomato confit?
Sure can! Transfer it to ice cube trays for single serving easy use, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to Make with Tomato Confit
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Tomato Confit Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces spaghetti or linguini
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes cut into quarters
- ⅓ cup good quality olive oil
- 1 pinch saffron about 20 threads
- kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper and red pepper flakes to taste
- fresh chives for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, place the tomatoes and olive oil over medium high heat. Add the saffron and season with salt and pepper. Give the mixture a stir to combine.
- Once the oil starts to get hot, and the tomatoes start to blister, reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer for 60 minutes. Stirring every 10 minutes.
- After 60 minutes, the tomatoes should be falling apart. Remove them from the heat and let cool in the skillet for about 20 minutes before serving. Adjust salt and pepper before serving if desired.
- Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about ¾ cup of the pasta water once cooked and add to the tomato confit, stir everything into the pasta. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve with chopped chives.
Very good. I added some chopped garlic and one tsp of Trader Joes garlic chili crunch for the simmering part and at the end a half bag of power greens I had in the frig. Used whole wheat pasta. Lots of flavor and an easy meal.
Delicious! I don’t have saffron and I haven’t been able to find it, what could I use in place of that. Thanks
you can omit!!
Hey Gaby!
I’ve tried making this twice but both times I’ve burnt my tomatoes . I have my burner as low as it can go but maybe my cast iron is retaining too much heat? The caramelized (aka slightly burnt) flavor works but I want to perfect this recipe! Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks!
cast iron def retains a lot of heat! can you do it in a different pan with plenty of oil over the lowest heat setting? Or maybe on a different burner that doesn't run quiet so hot
How many servings would this be for ? Trying to plug in the recipe to fitness pal for calories!!
4
Looks great! Could it be adapted to work with chopped regular tomatoes my husband just bought a ton of ‘em.
Thanks!
haven't tried it but I think so!
I loved this recipe so much! So easy & delicious! Adding this to my sunday dinner rotation :).
Made this tonight! So delicoius! We also made your roasted brussel sprouts! Sooooo good!
Just made this today. My son asked that it be a weekly staple! ❤️ Thanks for another fabulous meal
LOVE that!! xoxo
I saw you make this on your snapchat and you mentioned adding garlic instead of saffron (I coulnd't find a small amount in the store). I normally would add the garlic at the beginning, but do you think it will change the flavor too much? Would you add it at the beginning or towards the end? Every recipe i've made of yours has been a hit 🙂 thank you!
Add the garlic at the same time you'd add the saffron!! And I've made it both ways - flavor is amazing either
Do you add the pasta water after your tomatoes have cooled in the pan for 20 minutes? Or do you add the water first and then let them cool??
add water first! then cool
Looks so simple, so beautiful, and so delicious!
Talk about delish!! I love how simple yet flavorful this pasta dish is 🙂
It just looks perfect. I have to use up all of my garden tomatoes, and now i know how!
This sounds like something even I can make. Yummy!
I love the simplicity of this. What a great day to use some of my pounds of tomatoes from the garden!! I can't wait to extend the flavor of summer!