Pasta alla caprese

Ingredienti

• 8 ounces whole wheat elbow pasta (or other short pasta shapes)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
• 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (washed and dried well)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (cut into small cubes)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Preparazione

1. 1

   Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water according to package directions for al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; set aside.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have softened and begin to burst, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low.

3. 3

   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes and garlic, along with about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water and the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add more pasta cooking water as necessary – combined with the cooked tomatoes it will make a light tomato sauce to coat the pasta. Stir in the grated Parmesan and then the fresh mozzarella.

4. 4

   Remove pan from the heat and then gently stir in fresh basil. Serve.