Candyland Marinated Tomatoes with Pasta & Halloumi Cheese

Name: Candyland Marinated Tomatoes with Pasta & Halloumi Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Candyland tomatoes (small currant type (or use small cherry tomatoes) ); 3 tablespoons Karen’s “Shaken” Italian Dressing (see recipe ); 1 cup thinly sliced Red Onions; 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 pinches salt & pepper; 1/2 cup sourdough bread (crusts removed); 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 pinch sea salt; 4 1/2 inch slices Halloumi (4.4 ounces total ); 1/4 teaspoon Kashmiri Chili Powder*; 3 cups cooked pasta (about 6 ounces (use more if you like)); 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ( a fruity one )

By Karen Sheer

5 from 1 vote

Aug 10, 2023, Updated Feb 13, 2025

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The Best Pasta Dish of the Summer Season! Marinated Candyland Tomatoes are tossed with Pasta, Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs, Grilled Halloumi Cheese, Softened Red Onions and Fresh Basil Leaves.

**Candyland Marinated Tomatoes with Pasta & Halloumi Cheese – A currant-like tomato… tiny in size, with a BIG super-sweet flavor!**

These little cuties ~ Candyland Tomatoes (named after the classic children’s board game) are just about ½-inch in diameter – yet every bit is packed with super sweet, rich flavor!

I bought these homegrown tomatoes at Bishop’s Orchard in Guilford CT – the are always a “find” as they are not so easily found.

Try the recipe too with other small cherry tomatoes! (If candylands are not available.)

Elements of This Recipe:

Cook Pasta, strain
Marinate Tomatoes in Karen’s Shaken Italian Dressing – you will cut half of the tomatoes in half
Make Quick Garlic Breadcrumbs
Sauté Red Onions until softened
Lastly, Season and Cook Halloumi Slices
Warm Marinaded Tomatoes in a large pan

Bring it All Together: Add Pasta to the Tomatoes in pan; warm through. Add Red Onions, Bread Crumbs, Fresh Basil Leaves and Holloumi Cubes.
Toss and enjoy – serve on a large platter or in individual bowls.

I LOVE this recipe because of all the flavors and textures with bright flavor… AND you do not need too much pasta, I used 3 cups cooked for 4 portions.

Candyland Tomatoes from Bishop's Orchard in Guilford, CT — **Candyland Tomatoes from Bishop’s Orchard in Guilford, CT – these Candyland little gems make a big impression!**

**Marinating the Candyland Tomatoes – cut half of the tomatoes in half**

Why cut the tomatoes in half?

The cut tomatoes will burst & meld and make a sauce ~ the others will remain whole.

Cooking the tomatoes in the vinaigrette - add onions — **Cooking the tomatoes in the vinaigrette – add onions**

Toss ingredients in the pan / Candyland Marinated Tomatoes with Pasta & Halloumi Cheese — **Toss all ingredients in the pan – lastly add the breadcrumbs… then warm** **halloumi**

**“Purplette” Red Onions from Riverbank Farm In Roxbury, CT**

Their color turns pastel pink when cooked or pickled. Their flavor is mild and sweet, lacking the pungency of a mature common red onion.

These onions are cooked until soft for maximum sweetness and a creamy texture… and the purple color pops tossed in the pasta!

I chose Sourdough Bread for the Garlic Breadcumbs - will get spooned over the finished dish — **I chose Sourdough Bread for the Garlic Breadcumbs – will get spooned over the finished dish**

Remove the crusts and cube – add to a small food processor until ground to small bits, not finely ground.

**Garlic Sourdough Bread Crumbs – an essential flavoring ingredient to the finished dish**

**4 slices of Halloumi are seasoned, grilled and cut into cubes (use 1/2 of the package)**

**Seasoned and Grilled Halloumi Cheese**

Just lovin’ some Halloumi Cheese!

Once hard to find and expensive, you can find now at Trader Joe’s for $5.99 a block (you will use half for this recipe.)
Made from 4 ingredients: Sheep’s Milk, Salt, Non-Animal Rennet and Mint – Imported from the island of Cypress.

Halloumi is a little like the baby of mozzarella and feta and makes a great vegetarian protein.

How to Cook Halloumi:

Cut into slices – pat well with paper towels to remove excess moisture

Season with a little Chili powder… I LOVE Kashmiri Chili Powder for its mild heat and explosive reddish color.

Add a small amount of olive oil (EVOO) to a skillet – I use a seasoned cast iron one… or – a stick proof one.

Add Halloumi and cook over moderate heat until lightly browned, flip over and repeat – WILL BE CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE WITH A SOFT, ALMOST OOZING INTERIOR! I like to grill and serve immediately (can also be reheated.)

Kashmiri Chili Powder has a bright red color,
gives you chili flavor without the extreme heat,
ideal for the mild palette. A great staple for your pantry! The cast iron skillet I have had for over 20 years. Lodge 12″pre-seasoned.

Enjoy this delicious recipe… with all its elements!
Let me know what you think!
Karen

Also see: No-Cook Heirloom Yellow Tomato Sauce with Pasta

Want more Inspirational Tomato Recipes? See my Category EVERYTHING TOMATOES

2 Comments

Mandy says:

19 Jun 2024 at 8:53 pm

This was delicious! Made it twice. So pleased to find these baby, sweet tomatoes and looked for a recipe to use them. A few steps here but all added to the final dish. Made second time without breadcrumbs and missed them. Love your recipes and photos, will try many more. Mandy.

Reply
1. Karen Sheer says:
  
  19 Jun 2024 at 8:56 pm
  
  Thank you Mandy! Happy you thought it was delish! I agree, the breadcrumbs add crunch and some garlicky essence. Thanks for writing! 😀Karen
  
  Reply

Candyland Marinated Tomatoes with Pasta & Halloumi Cheese

The Best Pasta Dish of the Summer Season! Marinated Candyland Tomatoes are tossed with Pasta, Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs, Grilled Halloumi Cheese, Softened Red Onions and Fresh Basil Leaves.

These little cuties ~ Candyland Tomatoes (named after the classic children’s board game) are just about ½-inch in diameter – yet every bit is packed with super sweet, rich flavor!

I bought these homegrown tomatoes at Bishop’s Orchard in Guilford CT – the are always a “find” as they are not so easily found.

Try the recipe too with other small cherry tomatoes! (If candylands are not available.)

Elements of This Recipe:

Cook Pasta, strain

Marinate Tomatoes in Karen’s Shaken Italian Dressing – you will cut half of the tomatoes in half

Make Quick Garlic Breadcrumbs

Sauté Red Onions until softened

Lastly, Season and Cook Halloumi Slices

Warm Marinaded Tomatoes in a large pan

Bring it All Together: Add Pasta to the Tomatoes in pan; warm through. Add Red Onions, Bread Crumbs, Fresh Basil Leaves and Holloumi Cubes. Toss and enjoy – serve on a large platter or in individual bowls.