Aromatic Penne, Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil

Here is a simple but tasty recipe to prepare aromatic penne with mozzarella, tomato, and basil.

Ingredients

• 320g of penne rigate
• 3-4 ripe tomatoes, or 250g of cherry tomatoes
• 200g of mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella is better)
• A bunch of fresh basil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste (optional)
• Grated Parmesan (optional)

Preparation

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne rigate according to the instructions on the package, until they are ‘al dente’.

2. While the penne are cooking, wash and dice the tomatoes. If using cherry tomatoes, you can simply cut them in half. Place the tomatoes in a large bowl.

3. Drain the mozzarella and cut it into cubes, then add it to the tomatoes.

4. Wash the basil and tear the leaves with your hands to release their aroma. Add the basil to the tomatoes and mozzarella.

5. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the whole garlic cloves until golden, then remove them. This will allow the oil to take on the flavor of the garlic without overpowering the dish.

6. Drain the penne when they are al dente and transfer them to the bowl with the tomato, mozzarella, and basil mix. Pour the garlic-infused aromatic oil over it.

7. Gently mix so that the heat of the penne starts to melt the mozzarella and release the aromas of the basil.

8. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, add a grind of black pepper if you wish, and a pinch of Parmesan, if you like.

9. Serve the aromatic penne immediately while they are still hot and stringy.

Curiosity

This recipe is an example of how Italian cuisine can be simple and yet rich in flavor. Fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs are the stars of many Italian dishes. In particular, basil, with its pungent and refreshing scent, is often associated with Southern Italian cuisine, especially in the use of the famous tomato sauce or on Margherita pizza.