Creating Roasted Tomato & Pesto Pasta is straightforward; just follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare Tomatoes: In a baking dish, arrange the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add the minced garlic.
3. Roast Tomatoes: Roast the tomatoes in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until they burst and become slightly caramelized.
4. Cook Pasta: While the tomatoes roast, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
5. Reserve Pasta Water: Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
6. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the hot pasta with the roasted tomatoes and any juices from the baking dish.
7. Add Pesto: Stir in the fresh basil pesto, mixing well. If the pasta seems dry, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach desired consistency.
8. Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
9. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil leaves if desired.

This simple sequence of steps will guide you in crafting this beautiful dish efficiently.