Pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is a classic Italian dish that is simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil creates a delightful flavor profile that is sure to satisfy. This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect pasta dish, from selecting the right ingredients to mastering the cooking techniques. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, you will find valuable tips and tricks to help you create a delicious and authentic pasta dish that will transport you to the heart of Italy.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
TOMATO-BASIL PASTA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA
Fragrant fresh basil, fresh mozarella and the sweet flavor of organic tomatoes set this pasta apart from others.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Stir in basil.
- Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on box.
- Stir pasta into sauce. Cook until thoroughly heated. Into large serving bowl, pour pasta and sauce. Gently stir in cheese and pine nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 640, Carbohydrate 79 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 8 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 820 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 0 g
PASTA WITH MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES AND FRESH BASIL
During the summer season, I like to prepare this pasta salad featuring garden-fresh tomatoes and basil. Fresh mozzarella adds a tasty touch.-Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, HI
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the cheese, oil, garlic, salt and pepper; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour., Meanwhile, cook linguine according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Add to cheese mixture. Stir in basil and tomatoes. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 574 calories, Fat 28g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 483mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
PASTA WITH TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL
Categories Cheese Herb Pasta Tomato Appetizer Quick & Easy Spring Bon Appétit Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 4 Servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix tomatoes, mozzarella, oil and vinegar in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature. Mix in basil.
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Return pasta to pot. Add tomato mixture and toss gently to blend. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
PENNE WITH FRESH TOMATOES, BASIL, AND FRESH MOZZARELLA
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Put a large pot of salted water on for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute or less. Add the tomatoes and cook them for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they begin to release some of their juice.
- Cook the pasta in the pot of salted boiling water for 12 to 13 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and basil to the pan with the tomatoes and toss. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve the pasta in bowls, equally distribute the fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan between the bowls. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bowls of pasta and serve immediately.
QUICK TOMATO-BASIL PASTA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA
This recipe was included in an email that I received from the www.cookscountry.com website: Bored with your usual pasta and red sauce? We were, so we came up with this simple spin in which fresh mozzarella tempers the heat of spicy chili flakes. Here's what we discovered: Test Kitchen Discoveries Combine canned crushed and diced tomatoes for a rich flavor and thick texture. Flavor the sauce simply with red pepper flakes and minced garlic. Cook the pepper flakes along with the garlic in extra-virgin olive oil to intensify their flavor. Use fresh mini balls of mozzarella. If you can't find the small balls, larger balls can be cut into small cubes. Low-moisture mozzarella, the shrink-wrapped stuff, won't taste nearly as good in this dish. Liberally season the water in which the pasta is cooked; otherwise the pasta will taste bland. We recommend 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water. Look for fresh mini mozzarella balls in the gourmet cheese section of your supermarket.
Provided by senseicheryl
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil, garlic and pepper flakes in medium saucepan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in crushed and diced tomatoes, bring to simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons basil, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and transfer back to pot. Stir in sauce and remaining tablespoon oil, and cook over medium heat until heated through (adding reserved water if pasta seems dry), about 1 minute. Stir in mozzarella and season with salt. Serve, sprinkling with remaining 2 tablespoons basil and Parmesan.
PASTA CAPRESE (PASTA WITH TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA & FRESH BASIL
For best results, use the freshest ingredients available. This recipe calls for less oil for a healthier pasta dish. Sometimes I drizzle lightly with balsamic vinager. Bon Appetit, May 1997
Provided by swissms
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix tomatoes, mozzarella, oil and vinegar in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature. Mix in basil.
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain.
- Return pasta to pot. Add tomato mixture and toss gently to blend. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 596.9, Fat 24.9, SaturatedFat 9.2, Cholesterol 44.8, Sodium 367, Carbohydrate 75.9, Fiber 11.7, Sugar 5.1, Protein 20.6
TOMATO BASIL PASTA
This recipe is a simple, flavorful dish served at room temperature. Fantastic! This dish will refrigerate well and is just as yummy the next day for lunch as a cold pasta salad!
Provided by ANGELA DAWN
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Stir tomatoes, onion, olive oil, garlic, and basil together in a bowl.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes. Drain.
- Toss warm pasta with feta cheese and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Stir tomato mixture into pasta and season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.9 calories, Carbohydrate 39.5 g, Cholesterol 35.6 mg, Fat 23.4 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 13.3 g, SaturatedFat 8.1 g, Sodium 466.5 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
CREAMY PASTA BAKE WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND BASIL
One of my favorite midweek pasta bakes - my whole family loves it and there is not much prep. Once the pasta bake is in the oven, you can make a salad or set the table and then it's time to eat.
Provided by Julian
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta
Time 51m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent while penne is cooking, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Stir in tomato sauce and tomato paste and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Add cream and Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.
- Stir some pasta cooking water into the sauce and add cooked penne. Remove from heat and stir in cherry tomatoes, 1/2 the mozzarella cheese, and basil. Pour penne mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 531.6 calories, Carbohydrate 67.8 g, Cholesterol 61.7 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 11.1 g, Sodium 779.8 mg, Sugar 7.8 g
PASTA WITH MINT, BASIL AND FRESH MOZZARELLA
In this green pasta dish, basil, mint, Parmesan and garlic are blended into a smooth pesto-like sauce, then tossed with pasta, creamy mozzarella and crunchy pine nuts just before serving. Marinating the mozzarella in some of the sauce as the pasta cooks imbues the mild cheese with flavor, and allows it to start softening so it melts in contact with the pasta. Serve this hot or warm, when the cheese is supple and a little runny.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, easy, quick, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts, shaking the pan frequently, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
- In a blender or mini food processor, combine Parmesan, basil, mint, garlic, salt and chile flakes. Pulse to combine, then add oil and process until smooth, adding more oil if needed to make a smooth paste. Taste and adjust salt and chile flakes if needed.
- Transfer 2 tablespoons sauce to a small bowl and stir in mozzarella. Cover and let marinate at room temperature while boiling the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Use a mug to scoop out approximately 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. Transfer pasta to a serving bowl.
- To serve, toss pasta with sauce and marinated mozzarella, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if the mixture looks dry. (It's O.K. if the mozzarella melts slightly while you're tossing.) Top with pine nuts, torn basil and mint, black pepper, Parmesan and another drizzle of oil to serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 785, UnsaturatedFat 32 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 47 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 417 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use ripe, juicy tomatoes. Look for tomatoes that are deep red in color and have no blemishes.
- If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil. However, fresh basil will give the dish a much better flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Use a good quality olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil will give the dish the best flavor.
- If you are using fresh mozzarella, drain it well before slicing it. This will help to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
- Serve the pasta immediately after it is cooked. This will help to preserve the flavor and texture of the dish.
Conclusion:
Pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil is simply irresistible. This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying pasta dish, give this recipe a try.
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