A Match Made in Heaven: Tomatoes and Pasta to Go

While you’ll find any number of sensational and creative pasta dishes to enjoy, there’s nothing quite like the classic pairing of a rich, delicious tomato sauce with a perfectly al dente pasta. Today the Miami canners team unpacks this spectacular pair, and why we love them so- with two delicious dishes to inspire you, as well!

Why are Tomatoes so Good with Pasta?

Tomatoes and pasta go so very well together due to their complementary flavours and textures. They’re a match made in heaven for a delicious and satisfying dish. Tomatoes bring an acidic, tangy taste to the table, helping to balance the richness of the pasta. Despite this clean and acidic taste, however, tomatoes are also slightly sweet, adding oodles of depth and flavour to the dish with no chilli-like burn.

Pasta, on the other hand, is a neutral and starchy base that will absorb the flavours of the sauce it’s served with. The texture of pasta also provides a nice contrast to the softness of the tomatoes. When combined, tomatoes and pasta create a classic dish that is simple yet packed with flavour, and it can only be enhanced by the spices and other elements of the dish. This pairing is also super-versatile, and can be easily customised with a huge variety of sauces and toppings to suit your personal tastes.

And there’s even better news, too! While pasta can be calorie-heavy, you also don’t need a ton of it to feel full and satiated. And canned tomatoes, like those in our Miami range, contain a broad range of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, and fibre. Tomatoes are also rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect against certain types of cancer and heart disease. Strangely enough, canned tomatoes have been found to have even higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes because the heating process used during canning helps to release more of this antioxidant. Can you say win-win?

Pasta Arrabiata: The Essential Classic

If you only ever try one tomato and pasta dish, it has to be this one! Pasta Arrabiata is a classic Italian dish with a spicy tomato sauce, based on garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh tomatoes. The word ‘Arrabiata’ literally means ‘angry’ in Italian- not because it will make you angry eating it, but due to the spicy kick in the dish. It is usually served with the short, round penne pasta, but can be made with any pasta type you’d prefer.

To make this simple dish even simpler, you can use Miami’s Tomato and Chilli mix as a strong base for the sauce. If you want some extra spiciness, you can saute some extra garlic with red pepper flakes or even some de-seeded mild chillies. Let the sauce simmer together for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s thick and smells great. If you would like, add a splash of your favourite red wine for even more depth.

Once the sauce is ready, cook and drain the pasta and toss it until it is well coated. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for a delicious and easy meal that packs a flavorful punch and will be ready in minutes.

Tomato, Spinach and Chicken Pasta

If you’re looking for something that meets all your nutritional benchmarks, this simple tomato pasta dish is sure to appeal to the whole family. You can use any spinach variety you like, from the nutty spiciness of morogo to the deep taste of classic Swiss chard or the light earthiness of baby spinach. While the dish is also fantastic with penne or fettuccine for their size and texture, you can again use any pasta type you like- it even works great with shells!  

Simply cut your chicken breast (or preferred chicken cut) into easy-to-cook strips and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or lightly fry your chicken until delicious. Add a little fresh garlic to the pan, and allow it to cook through for 1-2 minutes. Then toss in our classic Italian tomato mix and a little cream or greek yoghurt, stir well, and season to taste. The cooking time for the spinach will vary by variety (baby spinach will need nearly no cooking), but add it as needed and let the tastes meld together for a few minutes. Cook your pasta until al dente, then drain, coat in the sauce, and serve!

These two delicious dishes are sure to enhance your appreciation for this deceptively simple pairing, so don’t stop there! The Miami kitchen has created a vibrant range of tomato-based flavours for you to enjoy with love, so the taste world is your oyster.