Bucatini with Butter-Roasted Tomato Sauce

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°. Crush 8 garlic cloves with the flat side of a chef's knife and remove peel. Cut ¼ cup (½ stick) butter into small pieces (about ½").

Step 2

Empty 28 oz. can of tomatoes into a 13x9" baking dish and crush lightly with your hands. Watch out for flying tomato juices. Scatter garlic, butter pieces, 2 anchovies, and ½ tsp. red pepper flakes over tomatoes; season with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Roast tomatoes, tossing halfway through, until garlic is very soft and mixture is thick and jammy, 35–40 minutes. While tomatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of water (4-6 qt.) to a boil over high heat and add a small fistful of salt.

Step 4

Remove pan from oven and let sauce cool slightly. Using a potato masher or fork, break up garlic and tomatoes until mixture looks like coarse applesauce.

Step 5

Cook 12 oz. bucatini or spaghetti in pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally with tongs, according to package instructions for al dente. Toward end of cook time, use a heatproof measuring cup to scoop out and reserve ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. Drain pasta in a colander; reserve pot.

Step 6

Return pasta to pot and add tomato sauce and pasta cooking liquid. Cook over medium-high heat, tossing with tongs, until sauce coats pasta, about 3 minutes.

Step 7

Divide pasta among plates. Serve topped with Parmesan and more red pepper flakes.

Step 8

Do Ahead: Tomato sauce can be made 4 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat before mixing with pasta.