Elegant Tomato Pane Pasta
Bread Bowl Pasta with Rich Tomato Sauce
To celebrate Parents’ Day, I prepared a special homemade Tomato Pane Pasta recipe. This dish features a rich sauce made with plenty of fresh tomatoes, perfectly complemented by a unique bread bowl. It’s a way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home, with the added charm of a creative presentation using bread.
Ingredients for 4 Servings
- 8 slices of bread (for making bread bowls)
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 8 button mushrooms
- 8 cloves of garlic
- 4 servings of spaghetti (approx. 400g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the 8 slices of bread that will be used as ‘bread bowls’ for the pasta. Think of it as making two bread bowls per person.
Step 2
Bring a generous pot of water to a boil for cooking the pasta. Once boiling, add a good pinch of salt to the water. (This helps prevent the pasta from sticking and seasons it.)
Step 3
Carefully cut off the top of each bread slice with a knife to create an opening. Scoop out the soft interior, being careful not to break the bread. You can press the scooped-out bread lightly inside the bowl to help maintain its shape.
Step 4
Cover the hollowed-out bread bowls with a plastic bag or damp cloth to keep them moist. This prevents the bread from becoming dry and stale.
Step 5
Trim the ends of the button mushrooms and slice them into bite-sized pieces. While you’re prepping the vegetables, the water for the pasta should be coming to a boil.
Step 6
Once the water is at a rolling boil, it’s time to cook the pasta.
Step 7
Add the spaghetti to the boiling water.
Step 8
Cook the pasta for only about 3-4 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the pan with the sauce, so we don’t want to overcook it here.) Tip: Adding a little cooking oil to the boiling water helps prevent the spaghetti strands from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot.
Step 9
Drain the partially cooked pasta and spread it out on a large plate or baking sheet to cool slightly. This prevents the pasta from clumping together.
Step 10
Don’t discard the pasta cooking water! This starchy ‘pasta water’ is a crucial ingredient for making a smooth and flavorful sauce. Reserve at least a cup of it.
Step 11
Chop the onion into large pieces. This will give a nice texture to the pasta.
Step 12
Slice the garlic cloves thinly into ‘planks’ or thick slices. This will infuse the oil with a rich garlic flavor.
Step 13
Cut the fresh tomatoes into large cubes, rather than finely dicing them. This preserves the fresh tomato flavor and texture in the sauce.
Step 14
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and let it infuse the oil.
Step 15
Gently sauté the garlic until it turns a light golden brown, being careful not to burn it. This deepens its aromatic flavor.
Step 16
Once the garlic is fragrant and golden, add the chopped onions to the pan. Sauté them until they become translucent.
Step 17
Add the sliced button mushrooms and increase the heat to medium-high. Stir-fry quickly until the mushrooms are tender and slightly browned. If the pan seems dry, add a little more oil.
Step 18
Season the sautéed vegetables with a pinch of black pepper for added aroma.
Step 19
Add the partially cooked spaghetti to the pan with the vegetables. Toss well to combine and allow the pasta to finish cooking in the sauce.
Step 20
Add the cubed fresh tomatoes to the pan. Their natural sweetness and acidity will enhance the sauce.
Step 21
Pour in about a ladleful of the reserved pasta water. Stir and cook, allowing the sauce to emulsify and thicken. Add more pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
Step 22
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. If it needs more sweetness or a tangy kick, you can add a little ketchup. Alternatively, season with salt to your preference. Ketchup can add a pleasant sweet and sour note, enriching the tomato flavor.
Step 23
For those who enjoy a bit of spice, finely chopped Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers) can be added and sautéed with the other ingredients. You can omit these if making it for children.
Step 24
Finally, fill the prepared bread bowls with the delicious pasta. Ta-da! Your elegant Tomato Pane Pasta is ready. Enjoying this homemade dish with your family will be incredibly rewarding and satisfying. This recipe is special because it uses fresh tomatoes directly, resulting in a light, fresh, and clean taste without relying on pre-made sauces. For an extra touch, consider topping it with some grated cheese. It’s a wonderfully fresh and flavorful meal!
