• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Pasta Project logo

  • Home
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Pasta Types
  • Italy's Regions
  • About
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Pasta Types
  • Italy's Regions
  • About Me
  • SHOP
×
Home » Specific Diets » Vegetarian

Published: Jun 9, 2018 · Modified: May 6, 2020 by Jacqui

Bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers


Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers.

Bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers

Bucatini con pomodorini e peperoni.

The most used and popular vegetable (or should I say fruit?) for pasta sauces here in Italy is, of course, tomatoes. However, because Italy produces so many different kinds of tomatoes, it’s not always possible to find the exact type of tomato a particular regional recipe requires. This delicious recipe for bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes called for Piennolo tomatoes from Campania. I couldn't find those and used other datterini tomatoes instead. Still delicious!!

(Click to go straight to recipe)

Bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers

A brief history of tomatoes in Italy!

Ironically, tomatoes were not indigenous to Italy. Tomatoes were first introduced here from Central and South America in the sixteenth century by the Spanish. At first, they were only grown as an ornamental plant because people believed they were poisonous! The first tomatoes were in fact yellow and the Italians called them 'pomo d'oro, meaning golden apple. From this the name 'pomodoro' (tomato in Italian) developed. However, It wasn’t until the early 1800s that tomatoes found their way onto the Italian table and the first recipe for pasta served with tomato sauce wasn’t published until 1839!

Ingredients for bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers recipe in basket

+320 types of tomatoes in Italy!

Needless to say the rest is history! Italians took to tomatoes on their pasta and later pizza like ducks to water. Today, Italy produces about 5 million tons of tomatoes every year spread over about 320 different varieties. Some of these varieties have a limited production and are mostly used in the region they are grown in. This adds to the uniqueness and variety of Italy’s regional cuisines and, of course, gives rise to recipes that call for particular types of tomatoes.

red and yellow bell pepper pieces in frying pan

Throughout Italy, normal tomato sauce (passata), especially the one bought in tins or glass bottles, is made from San Marzano tomatoes. Italians often make their own passata, using peeled San Marzano tomatoes. However there are many pasta recipes which include types of small tomatoes such as cherry tomatoes, datterini, piccadily etc. The type of small tomato depends on the region the recipe comes from.

cut bell peppers, chopped onions, red chili pepper and garlic in frying pan

Other ingredients.

This bucatini  recipe is based on one from Campania. Apart from the tomatoes, the other ingredients include bell peppers (also red and yellow), onion, garlic and basil. If you like it a bit spicy, you can include some peperoncino (Italian red chili pepper). I did! Traditionally this bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes also has some mozzarella pieces added to the sauce once it's cooked. I left the mozzarella out this time. But it's yummy with it too!

ingredients for bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers recipe in frying pan

This is an exceptionally tasty fresh recipe and the dish is wonderfully attractive because of the colours of both the tomatoes and peppers. It's also is a light vegetarian dish. A perfect addition to your list of quick and easy pasta recipes for those hot summer, or just busy, days when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen nor eat anything too heavy.

bucatini with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear how it turns out and if you liked it. Please leave a comment here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Buon appetito!

(see the recipe on the next page. Just scroll down and click 2)

I love bucatini pasta, don't you? Here are some other bucatini recipes to try. Click the link to go to the recipe!

  1. Pasta with Rabbit all’Ischitana 
  2. Bucatini all’arrabbiata from Rome
  3. Bucatini or spaghetti all’ Amatriciana

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

More Vegetarian

  • Italian homemade cheesy potato gnocchi.
    Italian Homemade Cheesy Potato Gnocchi
  • Spaghetti all'assassina assassin's spaghetti.
    Authentic Spaghetti all’Assassina Spicy Charred Pasta Recipe.
  • Spaghetti alla Nerano with fried zucchini.
    Spaghetti alla Nerano (fried zucchini pasta recipe).
  • Penne Pomodoro easy tomato basil pasta.
    Penne Pomodoro Recipe (easy tomato basil pasta).

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Tell us what you think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. David Skulski says

    February 08, 2022 at 4:37 am

    The initial reticence toward tomatoes was based on fact. The tomato plant is closely related to belldonna ("deadly nightshade") both in the family Solanaceae, which is indeed very toxic. We're all glad, of course, that things turned out well.

    Reply
  2. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    June 26, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    This looks so bright and flavorful -- the perfect summer meal with a chilled glass of wine! Making me hungry!

    Reply
  3. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says

    June 26, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    I love all the vegetables in this pasta! I can't have too many carbs (life is really unfair!), but I bet this will be great on spaghetti squash too - can't wait to try!

    Reply
  4. Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

    June 26, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    I love fresh pasta recipes, but I had no idea tomato meant golden apple! Thanks for that fun little tidbit 🙂

    Reply
  5. Mike from Chili Pepper Madness says

    June 26, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    The cherry tomatoes are so bright and colorful. It's such a vibrant dish. My guests loved it! Just in time for summer.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Close up of Jacqui

Buon giorno and welcome to my pasta project! My name is Jacqui. I’m originally a Londoner but in 2003 life’s journey brought me to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy where…

More about me →

TOP ITALIAN FOOD BLOG

3rd place in Top 50 Italian Food Blogs Awards by Feedspot

Italian Food Blogs

FEATURED IN

A few website logos showing where the pasta project has been featured in: Insider, Wikipedia, Food52, Buzzfeed, The Guardian, Parade

FOLLOW ME

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

VISIT MY SHOP

Shop Icon

In my weekly newsletters, I write about my life in Italy, Italian places, traditions and culture, as well as other foods not just pasta! As a Pasta Project subscriber you'll also get a FREE recipe e-book series! Plus links to the latest recipes and posts.

So, sign up now and get the first recipe e-books to download!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Web Stories

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Contact

  • Copyright & Disclaimer/ Terms of Use

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 The Pasta Project