Kitchen know-how
Before you drain, save a little pasta water
A small habit that helps bring a tomato sauce and its pasta together.
Before draining the pasta, use a heatproof cup to scoop out some cooking water. Keep it beside the stove while you finish the dish.
Add a small splash as you toss the pasta with the roasted tomatoes and their juices. Stir, then look: if the pasta still looks dry, add a little more. You are aiming for a light coating, not a bowl of broth.
This approach is used in Feel Good Foodie’s roasted tomato pasta. Our accompanying recipe reserves 1 cup and starts with ¼ cup; you may not need the rest.